Osteoprotegerin and bone density.

Aim of study was determine if a correlation exists between bone mass density and concentration of osteoprotegerin. We examined the group of 199 patients of mean age of 63 years. Of the group under study, 31 patients had normal bone density (T score > -1 and < 1) and 168 probands had osteopenia or osteoporosis (T < -1). Persons with normal BMD values had median values of OPG 60.8 ng/l, while patients with reduced bone density had median values of 73 ng/l OPG. Cut-off for reduction of bone density was 128 ng/l OPG. We demonstrated that OPG concentrations vary inversely with bone density values (correlation coefficient -0.31). These results suggest that determination of OPG could allow discrimination of individuals with normal bone density and those with reduced bone density.