Evaluating the efficacy of salivary and serum calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and alkaline phosphatase level in post-menopausal women for assessing the risk of osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a condition that leads to weakened and brittle bones, postmenopausal women are at increased risk due to the decline in oestrogen, a hormone that helps protect bone density. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in salivary and serum calcium, phosphorus, vitamin-D and alkaline phosphatase for assessing the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. The aim of this study was to compare serum and saliva calcium, phosphorus, vitamin-D and Alkaline phosphatase level and  to compare the change in serum levels with those in saliva. The study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry, Rajas Dental college and hospital and was carried out on 15 selected post-menopausal women aged 45-60  years and 15 healthy women volunteers of age group 20-25 years. Quantitative analysis of Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin-D and Alkaline Phosphatase was calculated. Statistical analysis of independent t test was used. The mean serum Calcium, Phosphorus, ALP levels and mean salivary Calcium and Phosphorus were significantly higher in the post-menopausal women. Based on the P value, there was no significant difference between groups regarding all the parameters expect salivary ALP and Vitamin-D. Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin-D and Alkaline Phosphatase appear to be associated with risk of osteoporosis in Post-menopausal women.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Menopause, Calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase.