Bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels in patients with gout.

: The objective of the study is to evaluate the relation of gout with osteoporosis and serum osteocalcin (OC) levels. : Seventy-five patients diagnosed with gout and 55 controls were included in the study. Comorbid conditions and drugs associated with osteoporosis were excluded. The and scores from lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femur (neck, ward, trochanter, total) were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). OC levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. : Osteoporosis according to scores of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 was found to be significantly higher in patients with gout compared to the control group ( = 0.02). Lumbar spine -score was -1.6 in gout group and -1.0 in controls. OC level was 7.9 ng/mL in the gout group and 18.9 ng/mL in the control group. There was a significant difference (< 0.001). In addition, mean OC level was 12.4 ± 6.9 ng/mL in the patients diagnosed with osteoporosis and 17.2 ± 10.6 ng/mL in the patients that were classified as normal and a significant difference was established between the two groups (= 0.03). A significant negative correlation was found between OC level and body mass index, age, and age at first attack. Similarly, femoral -score established a negative correlation with parathyroid hormone, age, age at first attack, and allopurinol dose. : Serum OC level can be a useful marker in the assessment of bone turnover and clinicians should keep osteoporosis in mind in gout patients.