Decline of
body weight and body mass index (BMI) with aging is a major risk factor for
osteoporosis and fracture, suggesting that treatment for
osteoporosis may affect body composition. However, the effects of treatment for
osteoporosis on body composition are not well known. The present study aimed to identify the relationship between
raloxifene treatment and body composition markers. We measured bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and bone remodeling markers in 236 Japanese postmenopausal women with
raloxifene treatment (N = 50) and without treatment by any
osteoporosis drug (N = 186) for 5 years and analyzed the relationship of these with BMD, BMI,
body weight, and
biochemical markers. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 65.5 (9.3) years. Percent-changes in
body weight and BMI were significantly different between women taking
raloxifene and those not taking any
osteoporosis drugs (P = 0.03 and 0.048, respectively).
Raloxifene treatment was a significant independent determinant of
body weight and BMI. Long-term treatment with
raloxifene prevents age-related
weight loss.