Correlation among Bone Turnover Markers, Vertebral Body Wedging and Cobb Angle in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with low bone mineral density. But the correlation between bone turnover markers and vertebral body wedging was unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess whether bone turnover markers were associated with increased vertebral body wedging and major thoracic curve angle.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 28 patients (mean age: 15yrs, all female) with AIS who underwent surgery at our hospital from 2015 to 2021. Measurements included bone turnover markers (BAP and NTx), vertebral morphology (vertebral coronal plane wedging: VCPW) and Cobb angle of major thoracic curve. The statistical analysis was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: The averages of BAP and NTx were 40.5±7.8 μg/l and 36.3±4.2 nMBC. VCPW and Cobb angle were 8.1±0.6°and 59.5±3.0°. BAP didn't associate with VCPW (ρ=0.35), but positively correlated with Cobb angle (ρ=0.55). NTx was positively correlated to both VCPW and Cobb angle (ρ=0.46, ρ=0.62 respectively). VCPW was positively correlated to Cobb angle (ρ=0.46). Multiple regression analysis showed that the significant predictor of VCPW was NTx (p value=0.002).

Conclusions: NTx was significantly associated with vertebral body wedging and Cobb angle. Bone resorption in AIS girls seems to be related to the scoliotic curve severity.