Analytical and preanalytical issues in measurement of biochemical bone markers.

Bone markers are useful tools for managing bone diseases because they provide information that differs from but complements bone mineral density measurement. Problems in the measurement and interpretation of bone marker values continue to hamper the optimal utility of this clinical tool.Most of these difficulties originate from problems related to the handling and control of analytical and biological variability of bone marker measurements. These sources of variability can be substantial and need to be controlled.Certain bone markers or bone marker tests may require special considerations, such as analyte stability. Guidelines for minimizing preanalytical variability have been developed, and the means to minimize the analytical variability for some bone markers are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]