[Osteoporosis-profile--a bad examination?]

A so-called osteoporosis-profile has become increasingly popular among Danish doctors. Future bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women is estimated by means of an algorithm comprising serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatases as markers of bone formation and urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretions, corrected for creatinine, as markers of bone resorption. The osteoporosis-profile, performed by Medi-Lab, was tested in six females aged 46-56 years. Three different diets were used on three successive week-ends, each ending with a collagen-free supper and an overnight fast. Individual changes in estimated bone loss of up to 200-300% were found, demonstrating that the test was useless in a single person.