Bone metabolism assessment, bone metabolism index designation and the determination of its normal values range in young healthy women

BACKGROUND Bone metabolism assessment requires the determination of bone mass and quality. The bone metabolism was assessed with the modified bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-MDP. The elaboration of radioisotopic method and program allowed for the assessment of bone metabolism, index of bone metabolism assay and definition of its normal values range with the possibility of clinical application. MATERIAL/METHODS We examined 70 healthy young women with normal BMI, in which bone system was assessed with scintigraphic and densitometric examinations, and bone turnover markers definition together with hormonal and biochemical blood tests were performed. Group exclusion examinations were also performed, including basic, biochemical and hormonal blood tests, bone turnover markers and densitometric examinations with DXA technique. The scintigraphic examinations were performed using a gamma camera after 99mTc-MDP injection. After the application of the BONS method and program, the normal values range was determined with the STATISTICA 8 program. RESULTS The normal results of basic, biochemical, hormonal and vascular tests were obtained. The examinations of bone turnover markers confirmed the balance between bone formation and bone resorption processes. The normal results of densitometric examinations excluded osteopeny or osteoporosis. The normal values range of IBM in young healthy women was between 84.08 and 105. CONCLUSIONS The elaborated BONS program and method allow for the quantitative assessment of bone quality and definition of IBM normal values range. The quantitative scintigraphic bone examinations provide an alternative to the bone markers examination for obtaining information about bone metabolism.