Accurate Answers For Osteoporosis Management - Osteomark(R) Ntx From Inverness Medical

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 22 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50, approximately 75 million people worldwide. Treatment of osteoporosis often involves the use of drugs to inhibit bone resorption, the primary cause of age-related bone loss. Inverness Medical offers the Osteomark® NTx range of ELISA products for monitoring patient response to anti-resorptive therapies.

Cross-linked N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTx) is a specific indicator of bone resorption, generated by osteoclasts as a degradation product of type 1 collagen. NTx can be easily measured in urine and serum using the Osteomark NTx range of products. The Osteomark assays are sensitive and specific, and can be used to indicate subtle changes in levels of bone resorption.

Currently, bone mineral density (BMD) is the gold standard for evaluating bone mass over 12 to 24 months. However, densitometry measurements are not sensitive enough to accurately measure changes in bone mass less than 3%. When used in conjunction with Osteomark NTx, BMD is able to give a more complete picture of bone status due to the assay's ability to indicate the current level of bone resorption.

NTx monitoring of patients, using Osteomark NTx assays, can identify those who have a poor response to drug therapy, the primary cause of which is poor therapy adherence. Research has shown that patients who adhere to anti-resorptive drug therapy have a decreased risk of fractures, which cost healthcare institutions billions of dollars every year.

About Inverness Medical

Inverness Medical Innovations is a major global developer, manufacturer and marketer of advanced, pioneering consumer and professional medical diagnostic products. A leading supplier rapid point-of-care diagnostics, Inverness Medical Innovations is committed to advancing health and creating shareholder value through a continuing flow of innovative new products brought about by our strong investment in R&D and intellectual property. Our expanding range of clinical diagnostic products focus principally on the fields of Cardiology, Oncology, DOA, Women's Health, Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases.

Inverness Medical