Bone markers in polycystic ovary syndrome: A multicentre study

Objective Hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia and obesity, known characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may influence bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover (BTMs) can provide a non-invasive assessment of bone turnover. To this end, the serum concentrations of BTMs and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were analysed in women with PCOS and their possible associations with metabolic parameters of PCOS were determined. Subjects and methods Bone formation markers procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) and osteocalcin (OC), and bone resorption marker carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), along with 25OHD, were measured in 298 women with PCOS and 194 healthy controls. Results Serum levels of PINP (47.0 ± 20.2 vs. 58.1 ± 28.6 μg/L, p < 0.001) and OC (18.2 ± 7.5 vs. 20.6 ± 9.8 μg/L, p < 0.001) were decreased in women with PCOS compared with controls, whereas no significant differences were found in CTX and 25OHD levels. Age-stratified analyses suggested that PINP (50.5 ± 21.7 vs. 68.2 ± 26.6 μg/L, p < 0.001) and OC levels (20.4 ± 7.6 vs. 25.5 ± 9.6 μg/L, p < 0.001) were decreased only in the younger age group (≤ 30 years) women with PCOS compared with controls. The formation markers and resorption marker decreased with age in both study groups. Conclusions Bone formation markers were decreased in younger women with PCOS when compared with healthy women, which may affect bone mass in these women. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.