European journal of haematology
-
Skeletal morbidity is a major problem in multiple myeloma. Histomorphometric studies have demonstrated that increased bone resorption can be present even in the absence of radiographic abnormalities. To overcome diagnostic problems in estimating the activity of bone resorption, new laboratory parameters that reflect bone metabolism accurately are urgently needed. ⋯ Urinary NTx showed borderline significance (P = 0.05), and Dpd had no prognostic value in the survival analysis. Our data show that serum ICTP and urinary Dpd levels increase in parallel to advanced disease stages, and gives the first report on a significant difference in the bone resorption parameters ICTP and Dpd between individuals with MGUS and patients with myeloma in stage I. Among the bone resorption parameters studied serum ICTP was found to be the best prognostic factor for survival in multiple myeloma.