Persistence of increased bone resorption and possible role of dehydroepiandrosterone as a bone metabolism determinant in osteoporotic women in late post-menopause.

Specific data on bone metabolism in the late post-menopause are relatively scarce. This study presents data on the biochemical, hormonal and bone mineral status of a selected group of 22 osteoporotic women with at least 1 vertebral fracture who had been post-menopausal for a minimum of 5 yr. Bone resorption parameters were elevated in over two-thirds of these patients. The serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate were negatively correlated with age and years since menopause but positively correlated with bone mineral content, bone turnover parameters (urinary calcium/creatinine, osteocalcin), 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D levels and the 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D/25-hydroxy-vitamin D ratio. These findings indicate that careful evaluation of the bone turnover rate in the late post-menopause can still have an important bearing on therapeutic decisions. They also support the theory that adrenal androgens play a role in bone mineral metabolism in the late post-menopause.