Long-term efficacy of cyclical etidronate therapy in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Abstract

Sixty-two women (mean age 68.7 +/- 0.9 yr) with postmenopausal spinal osteoporosis were treated with cyclical etidronate therapy (400 mg for 2 weeks alternating with 12 weeks of 1 gm elemental calcium and 400 IU Vitamin D3) for a minimum of 2 yr. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (g/cm2) increased significantly (p < 0.0001) after yr 1 (4.1 +/- 0.5 per cent) and yr 2 compared with yr 1 (2.2 +/- 0.5 per cent). The response rate was 89 per cent after yr 1 and 84 per cent after yr 2. BMD of the hip (30 patients) increased by 1.5 +/- 0.9 per cent after yr 1 and 5.5 +/- 1.1 per cent (p < 0.0001) after yr 2 when compared with baseline. The response rate was 63 per cent after yr 1 and 80 per cent after yr 2. Smaller numbers of patients continued with treatment up to 4 yr with no adverse long-term effects.

• Authors: A Heaney, I Steele, H Taggart
• Journal: Irish journal of medical science (Ir J Med Sci) 1997 Oct-Dec Vol. 166 Issue 4 Pg. 257-9 ISSN: 0021-1265 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 9394079 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cholecalciferol
• Etidronic Acid
• Calcium

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Calcium (administration & dosage)
• Cholecalciferol (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Etidronic Acid (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Long-Term Care
• Middle Aged
• Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome