[Relation between laboratory tests and densitometry values: characterization of the baseline profile in a perimenopausal population at anamnestic risk for osteoporosis].

The relationship between usual laboratory indexes of bone metabolism and dual photon densitometry in perimenopausal women at anamnestic risk for osteoporosis are studied. One hundred and twenty five women, with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis, have been investigated by: plasma calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, ALP-bone-isoenzyme, PTH, and 24 hours urinary calcium and hydroxyproline, besides dual photon densitometry of lumbar spine. Laboratory indexes are indicated as "above normal values" and, within the range of normality, "at lower limits", "average values", and "at upper limits". More than 90% of patients show laboratory findings at the upper limits. Furthermore, 46% of them show both hydroxyproline greater than 20 mg/24 h and urinary calcium greater than 200 mg/24 h; 81.7% osteocalcin greater than 7.00 ng/ml and plasma calcium greater than 4.9 mEq/l; 87.9% osteocalcin greater than 7.00 ng/ml and urinary calcium greater than 200 mg/244; 86.4% densitometric values less than 0.700 g/cm2 and osteocalcin greater than 7.00 ng/ml. Our at risk population shows a wide agreement among the laboratory indexes, to indicate an increased bone metabolism.