Objetive

Biochemical parameters continue to be the most widely used option for the follow-up of patients with bone metabolic disorders. The objective of our study was to assess the association of some biochemical markers of bone metabolism with the appearance and progression of aortic calcifications.

Material and methods

In this study, 624 men and women older than 50 years were selected at random. The participants completed a questionnaire and underwent two lateral dorsal-lumbar x-rays and bone densitometry. Four years later, the same studies were repeated in 402 subjects along with a biochemical study.

Results

Age and the proportion of men were higher in those who had “global progression” of aortic calcification (progression of the existing ones plus new ones). The serum levels of calcium and calcitriol were significantly higher and those of osteocalcin significantly lower in which “global progression” of aortic calcification was observed. Multivariate analysis showed that only osteocalcin was independently associated with “global progression” of aortic calcification, with an 18% decrease for each 1 ng/mL increase in osteocalcin levels (odds ratio (OR)=0, 82; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.71-0.92). The categorization of osteocalcin into tertiles showed that the subjects of the first tertile (<4.84 ng/mL) were associated with a higher proportion of new aortic calcifications: (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.03-3, 56) with respect to the third tertile (>6.40 ng/mL).

Conclusion

Serum levels of osteocalcin could be a biochemical marker to evaluate the appearance and/or evolution of aortic calcification. However, it is necessary to determine with greater precision how it could exert this protective effect in the process of vascular calcification.

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