Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: Aug | Volume: 7 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 136-141
Serum Calcium and Alkaline Phosphatase Level among Pre-Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Women in Rupandehi District of Nepal: A Co-Relational Study
Bikram Khadka1*, Binod Timalsina1**, Suprita Gupta2, Dilaram Acharya3***
1Lecturer, 3Assistant Professor,
*Department of Biochemistry, **Department of Anatomy, ***Department of Community Medicine,
Kathmandu University, Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute (DMCRI), Devdaha, Rupandehi, Nepal,
2Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, National Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal,
Corresponding Author: Bikram Khadka
ABSTRACT
Bone turnover markers and its consequence to poor health outcomes among post- menopausal women have been well understood elsewhere, but it is not well researched in Nepal.
Objective: This study is aimed to assess the association of bone turnover markers in pre- and post-menopausal women in Rupandehi district of Nepal.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during August 2014 to September 2016 in a total of 400 study participants with an equal number of pre- and post-menopausal women (200 each of the test and control group). Blood samples for both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women were collected and analysed for the selected bone turnover markers. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and correlation statistics were employed for the study. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 20.
Results: This study identified that low serum calcium level. [(Post-menopausal; mean 8.53, SD 0.619 vs. pre menopausal; mean 9.23, SD 0.793) (P=0.000)] and high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in postmenopausal women compared to its counterparts [post-menopausal group 106.76 (SD 40.85) compared to the pre-menopausal group 85.20 (SD 31.262)]. There was a significant negative correlation between serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusion: As the result of this study showed a significant decrease in serum calcium and increase in serum ALP among normal postmenopausal women suggesting an elevated bone turnover may result into bone mass reduction, hormonal therapy to prevent bone mass reduction to concerned population may be suggested. Further, studies covering many bone markers in a large population are recommended.
Key words: Menopause, Osteoporosis, Serum calcium, Serum alkaline phosphatase.