Biochemical bone specific markers in early rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

To assess the potential of biochemical markers of bone turnover in early rheumatoid arthritis to reflect disease processes and to help monitor the course of the disease. serum from twenty five patients with early rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and from ten healthy control subjects were studied with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin. Rheumatoid arthritis patients had significantly increased serum bone sialoprotein [BSP] in comparison with control subjects [P<0.001] whereas no significant difference was found between the two groups in the levels of osteocalin [P>0.05]. Bone sialoprotein as a biochemical marker of bone turnover can be measured to provide an assessment of disease process in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis