RESUMO
In the next century, the increasing number of elderly and rising healthcare costs will bring with it metabolic bone problems, particularly osteoporosis. Deoxypyridinoline: Dpd in urine is a sensitive and specific marker for screening and monitoring of bone resorption in a variety of diseases affecting bone turnover and in risk groups especially in the postmenopause. The reference value among aging (21-60 years) of a healthy well defined group was studied by collecting the urine between 700-1000 hours and using the ELISA technique to determine the level of Dpd. The reference value of Dpd in 113 males and 298 females 1.3-6.5 and 1.5-6.9 nm Dpd/nm Creatinine respectively. The level of Dpd in females was significantly higher than in males at p < 0.028. However, the average value of deoxypyridinoline in postmenopause was higher than premenopause but not different at p = 0.05. There are many factors which influence the results so the overall reference value is only a guideline for screening in bone resorption.