Serum sclerostin levels as a diagnostic marker for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is asymptomatic, in which low bone-mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leads to increasing bone fragility and fracture. Vertebral and hip fractures lead to increased mortality, resulting in enormous health care costs. BMD testing by DEXA is used in diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, low-and middle-income populations are unable to conduct periodic examinations of bone mineral status. Thus, current study is mainly aimed at finding a cost-effective diagnostic-marker for osteoporosis. 170 participants, of whom 51 had osteoporosis, 62 had osteopenia and 57 had normal bone-mass. Selection of individuals was based on DEXA scan BMD. Sclerostin was determined by ELISA. The variables were compared using ANOVA test and ROC analysis was performed. Sclerostin levels were significantly decreased in osteoporosis (4.62 ± 1.6 ng/mL) and osteopenia (4.92 ± 1.4 ng/mL) compared with controls (5.74 ± 1.3 ng/mL), (p < 0.0001). Sclerostin level 5.6 ng/mL is the cut-off value for diagnostic purpose, according to good sensitivity and specificity. In patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis, decreased sclerostin levels were associated with an increased disease risk. These relationships were independent of BMD and bone turnover, suggesting that Sclerostin levels may reflect disease-severity in osteoporosis. Sclerostin measurements could become a useful clinical index for diagnosis of osteoporosis.