OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of serum total procollagen type 1 aminoterminal propeptide (total P1NP), cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) and 25(OH)D3 detection in evaluating the risks of fragile hip fracture in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

METHODSSerum levels of total P1NP, β-CTX and 25(OH)D3 was measured in 68 elderly osteoporotic patients with fragile hip fracture and 68 age- and gender-matched osteoporotic controls without fragile hip fracture. In both groups, bone mineral density (BMD) was detected with dual X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTSThe serum levels of total P1NP and β-CTX were significantly higher and 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower in fragile hip fracture group than in the control group (P<0.05), but the two groups showed no significant difference in lumbar or total hip BMD. Bivariate correlation analysis suggested that in fragile hip fracture group, serum 25(OH)D3 level was positively, while serum total P1NP and β-CTX levels were inversely correlated with lumbar and total hip BMD (P<0.05). In control group, 25(OH)D3 was not related to lumbar or total hip BMD, and serum total P1NP and β-CTX levels were inversely correlated with total hip BMD (P<0.05) but not related to lumbar BMD.

CONCLUSIONIn osteoporotic elderly patients with close BMD levels, high serum levels of total P1NP and β-CTX and low serum levels of 25(OH)D3 might independently indicate high fragile hip fracture risk, and detection of the three markers can help identify high-risk individuals.