SOST and chronic atrophic gastritis: In a small Norwegian study (n = 17 patients, 41 controls), subjects with chronic atrophic gastritis, compared to controls, have: decreased circulating levels of OC (bone formation marker), sclerostin (an inhibitor of bone formation), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and OPG/RANKL ratio; unaffected levels of P1NP (bone formation marker) and bCTX (bone resorption marker); and (in males only) lower lumbar BMD and increased frequency of osteopenia and OP.