Regional Bone Turnover Markers for Southeast Asian Women
Osteoporosis is highly prevalent and is projected to become a major public health issue, particularly in developing countries such as Malaysia. While bone turnover markers (BTMs) are widely used to monitor bone metabolism and osteoporosis, region-specific reference data for Southeast Asian women have historically been lacking.
Beacon Hospital is proud to collaborate in this landmark multicountry study involving five ASEAN nations: Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Our Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dato’ Dr Lee Joon Kiong, was part of the research team that analysed data from 746 healthy premenopausal women to establish the first region-specific Bone Turnover Marker (BTM) reference ranges.
Key markers assessed included P1NP, osteocalcin, and CTX. The study demonstrated that normal BTM levels vary across Southeast Asian populations—sometimes significantly between countries—and that bone turnover activity naturally declines after the age of 30.
These new reference benchmarks will enable healthcare professionals across the region to assess bone health more accurately, detect abnormalities earlier, and personalise osteoporosis management for millions of women.
Interested to learn more about this first-ever regional reference study?
Read the full-length article here: Springer
