Bone turnover markers in the early stage of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports have demonstrated that patients with end-stage rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip (RPOH) show significantly higher serum levels of bone turnover markers than those with osteoarthritis (OA). However, the characteristics of bone turnover markers in the early stage of RPOH remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association of bone turnover markers with disease progression in the early stage of RPOH. METHODS: This study included 29 postmenopausal female patients with joint space narrowing >2 mm demonstrated on a series of radiographs and computed tomography within 1 year following the onset of hip pain. The study also included 9 postmenopausal female patients with hip OA secondary to developmental dysplasia showing femoral head destruction. Cortical thickness index (CTI) associated with bone mineral density of the hip was analyzed. Serum concentrations of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were evaluated. RESULTS: RPOH was classified into two types on the basis of the absence (type 1, n=13) or presence (type 2, n=16) of subsequent destruction of the femoral head within 1 year following disease onset. TRACP-5b and BAP significantly increased in RPOH type 2 compared with type 1 and OA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that TRACP-5b and BAP could differentiate RPOH type 2 from type 1 within 1 year following the onset. CTI showed no difference among the RPOH types 1 and 2 and OA. CONCLUSION: High serum levels of bone turnover markers may be associated with destruction of the femoral head in the early stage of RPOH.