Comparison of the effects of raloxifene and low-dose hormone replacement therapy on bone mineral density and bone turnover in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of raloxifene and low-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODS:

Forty-two postmenopausal osteoporotic women, who were randomized to receive raloxifene 60 mg or estradiol 1 mg/norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg daily for 1 year, were studied. All women received calcium 600 mg/day and vitamin D 400 IU/day. BMD and markers of bone turnover were measured at baseline and at 12 months.

RESULTS:

After 12 months of treatment, there were statistically significant increases in BMD in both groups at all sites (all p < 0.05). For the lumbar spine, the increase in BMD was 2.3% for raloxifene compared with 5.8% for low-dose HRT and corresponding values for total body BMD were 2.9% for raloxifene and 4.6% for low-dose HRT; the increases being significantly greater in the low-dose HRT group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Although the increase in BMD at the hip was significant for both raloxifene (2.1%) and low-dose HRT (3.2%) compared with baseline, the difference between the two regimens did not reach statistical significance. The decrease in serum C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen and serum osteocalcin levels for the low-dose HRT group (-53% and -47%, respectively) was significantly greater than for the raloxifene group (-23% and -27%, respectively; both p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, low-dose HRT produced significantly greater increases in BMD of the lumbar spine and total body and greater decreases in bone turnover than raloxifene at 12 months.

• Authors: Cem Dane, Banu Dane, Ahmet Cetin, Murat Erginbas
• Journal: Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (Gynecol Endocrinol) Vol. 23 Issue 7 Pg. 398-403 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 0951-3590 [Print] England
• PMID: 17701771 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Bone Density Conservation Agents
• Collagen Type I
• Drug Combinations
• Peptides
• collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide
• Osteocalcin
• Raloxifene Hydrochloride
• Estradiol
• Norethindrone

Topics

• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Bone Density Conservation Agents (pharmacology)
• Collagen Type I (blood, drug effects)
• Drug Combinations
• Estradiol (pharmacology)
• Estrogen Replacement Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Norethindrone (pharmacology)
• Osteocalcin (blood, drug effects)
• Osteoporosis (drug therapy)
• Peptides (blood, drug effects)
• Postmenopause
• Raloxifene Hydrochloride (pharmacology)