Analysis of diagnostic efficacy and fracture healing predictive value of miR-550a-3p in patients with osteoporotic fractures.

PurposeTo investigate the level of miR-550a-3p in patients with osteoporosis (OP), osteoporotic fractures (OPF), and healthy controls, and diagnostic value for OP, OPF, and fracture healing.Methods246 OP patients (120 OP, 126 OPF) and 113 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum miR-550a-3p levels were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Pearson analysis assessed correlations with T-score, 25-(OH) Vitamin D, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG). OPF patients were followed for 6 months (normal/delayed healing groups). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analyzed diagnostic value.ResultsmiR-550a-3p expression was significantly lower in OP and OPF groups than in controls, with the lowest level in OPF patients. It effectively distinguished OP from controls (AUC = 0.899) and OPF from OP (AUC = 0.911). miR-550a-3p was positively correlated with T-score, 25-(OH) Vitamin D, and OPG, and negatively correlated with RANKL. In OPF patients, miR-550a-3p was lower in the delayed healing (DH) group (AUC = 0.851) and identified as an independent factor for delayed healing.ConclusionmiR-550a-3p exhibits potential as a biomarker for diagnosing OP and OPF, and for predicting fracture healing outcomes in OPF patients, providing a novel tool for clinical management of osteoporotic fractures.