Relationship between Serum Calcitonin Levels and Osteoporosis in Female Patients Aged 40-70 Years

Osteoporosis is a general skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass over the years, bone fractures, decreased bone strength, and consequently increased bone fragility and fracture susceptibility. There is paucity of information about the effect of calcitonin on osteoporosis in Iran. The current study aimed at investigating the relationship between serum calcitonin levels and osteoporosis in women aged 40-70 years old.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in women with osteoporosis (n=29) attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital who were selected by census sampling in 2019.  Written consent was obtained and the participants entered the study based on bone densitometry. They were divided into three groups of normal (n=8), osteopenic (n=10), and osteoprotic (n=11). Mean serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and calcitonin were measured in all patients. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS V23.

The mean serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and calcitonin were 0.43±1.58, 0.64±2.04, and 1.08±3.59, respectively indicating no significant relationship between their concentrations and osteoporosis (P> 0.05).  

The study showed no relationship between the three groups of patients in serum calcium and phosphorus levels, which means that the body maintains normal serum levels of these salts even with severe osteoporosis. Serum calcium and phosphorus tests can not be used to comment on bone density.