Abnormalities in serum osteocalcin values in children with chronic rheumatic diseases

We studied bone mineral metabolism prospectively in 113 children with chronic rheumatic diseases (juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and juvenile dermatomyositis) to determine the relationship of serum levels of osteocalcin to rheumatic disease activity and corticosteroid usage, and to determine, in part, the cause of osteopenia in this population. Disease activity was quantitated by historical, clinical, and serologic means and an activity score derived. The 113 children were divided according to the expression of their disease, which was active (group 1: mean score 3.42, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate 28 mm/hr) or inactive (group 2: score 1.7, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 15 mm/hr) ( p