Vitamin D Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin D, including details on sources, melanin, benefits, deficiency, supplements, calcium absorption.

Efficacy of etidronate and sequential monofluorophosphate in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis: a pilot study.

Ringe JD, Dorst A, Faber H, Kipshoven C, Rovati LC, Setnikar I

Klinikum Leverkusen (University of Cologne), Medizin. Klinik 4, 51375 Leverkusen, Germany. ringe@klinikum-lev.de

In a three-year pilot study on 52 women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment with etidronate followed by calcium and vitamin D (ECaD) was compared to etidronate followed by monofluorophosphate, calcium and vitamin D (EFCaD). BMD in lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck increased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD. Pain-mobility score decreased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD (p=0.006). New vertebral fractures occurred in three patients under EFCaD (12%) and in nine under ECaD (35%), (p=0.048). Three patients under EFCaD (12%) and 15 under ECaD (58%) did not respond to therapy (p of difference=0.001). Mild or moderate adverse reactions were reported by 25 patients, with no significant difference between the two groups. The pilot study suggests that etidronate, sequentially followed by monofluorophosphate, could be a safe, effective and relatively inexpensive therapy in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Published 12 May 2005 in Rheumatol Int, 25(4): 296-300.
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