Correlation of OPG/RANKL in patients at the center of Haemoglobinopathy Lushnja, Albania

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an important cause of morbidity in hemoglobinopathy patients. It is characterized by low bone mass and disruption of bone architecture, resulting in reduced bone strength and increased risk of fractures. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappa-B ligand (RANKL) have been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of various types of osteoporosis. The aim of our study was to determine if there is any correlation between OPG/RANKL and the patients affected by thalassemia major and sickle cell disease in the Center of Haemoglobinopathy in Lushnje.
Methods: We measured in 106 patients with Thalassemia major and Sickle cell disease and in 67 healthy control subject serum OPG and RANKL levels and determined correlations with BMD. We measure T-score and BMD too.
Results: 31.1% of our patients with Thalassemia major and Sickle cell disease have osteoporosis and 21.6 % have osteopenia. We find a correlation between OPG-BMD (r=-0.768, p=0.000 and RANKL-BMD (r=0.468; p=0.000). OPG-T-score (r=0.729. p=0.000) and Rankl-T-score r=-0.409; p=0.000).
Conclusion: OPG and RANKL in Thalassemia major and Sickle cell disease patients should be consider as a main factor responsible for osteoclast activation.