OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum osteocalcin in the detection of bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples from DTC patients with (DTC BM+, n=19) or without bone metastases (DTC BM-, n=19), and matched healthy volunteers (n=30) were tested for serum osteocalcin with electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. RESULTS: Osteocalcin was higher in DTC BM+ than in DTC BM- patients (+35.8%, p=0.002), acting as an independent risk factor for bone metastases (R(2)=0.142, p=0.039). The sensitivity was 78.9% and the specificity was 63.2% at a cut-off value of 11.2 microg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Serial measurements of osteocalcin could be useful in the detection of bone metastases from DTC. (c) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum osteocalcin in the detection of bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples from DTC patients with (DTC BM+, n=19) or without bone metastases (DTC BM-, n=19), and matched healthy volunteers (n=30) were tested for serum osteocalcin with electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. RESULTS:Osteocalcin was higher in DTC BM+ than in DTC BM- patients (+35.8%, p=0.002), acting as an independent risk factor for bone metastases (R(2)=0.142, p=0.039). The sensitivity was 78.9% and the specificity was 63.2% at a cut-off value of 11.2 microg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Serial measurements of osteocalcin could be useful in the detection of bone metastases from DTC. (c) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.