Usefulness of ceruloplasmin testing as a screening methodology for geriatric patients with osteoporosis

[Purpose] To evaluate serum ceruloplasmin levels in geriatric patients with osteoporosis. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy geriatric patients over 65 years of age were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (‘OP’, n=35) consisted of patients with osteoporosis, and group 2 (n=35) consisted of patients without osteoporosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning was used in the measurement of bone mineral density in all cases. Inflammatory parameters, including C-reactive protein, sedimentation rate, and serum ceruloplasmin levels were analyzed in blood samples. [Results] No statistical differences in inflammatory parameters were observed between the two groups, however, serum ceruloplasmin levels were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. In Pearson analysis, serum ceruloplasmin levels were not found to be correlated with any biochemical parameters. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis revealed that serum ceruloplasmin levels were predictive of osteoporosis with 85.7% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity over the level of 830.15. [Conclusion] Our study demonstrated that measurement of serum ceruloplasmin levels may have potential as a screening methodology for geriatric patients with osteoporosis.