Low Plasma Level of Leucine‐Rich Repeat‐Containing 17 (LRRc17) Is an Independent and Additive Risk Factor for Osteoporotic Fractures in Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT A novel role of leucine‐rich repeat‐containing 17 (LRRc17), an LRR protein secreted by osteoblasts, as a negative regulator of receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand–induced osteoclast differentiation was found. However, the clinical association between LRRc17 and osteoporotic fracture (OF) has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that low circulating plasma level of LRRc17 might serve as an independent and additive risk factor for OF, including vertebral fractures (VF) and non‐vertebral fractures (non‐VF). In this case‐control study, 102 OF cases and 102 age‐ and body mass index–matched controls (mean age, 63.2 years) were analyzed among 532 postmenopausal women. VF (n = 49) and non‐VF (n = 60) participants were identified using lateral thoracolumbar radiographs and an interviewer‐assisted questionnaire, respectively. Median LRRc17 levels were significantly lower in participants with any OF (117.5 versus 197.3 pg/mL, p