Bone Abstracts

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of raloxifene (RLX) 60 mg daily, vitamin D (VD) 200 IU daily, and alendronate (ALN) 35 mg once weekly on bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L) and total femur (F) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, and the effects of the osteoporosis risk factors on BMDs and these treatments.

Design and methods: The subjects were 242 postmenopausal Japanese women aged 48–87 years (mean 65.4±7.8 years). BMDs of L (L2–L4) and F were measured by the DXA. Those who were diagnosed with osteoporosis were allocated in three groups and treated with RLX 60 mg daily, VD 200 IU daily, and ALN 35 mg once weekly for 24 months. L and F BMDs were measured at baseline and after 24 months treatment. Factors those are thought to be affecting BMD such as eating habits, the differences in lifestyles, and the physical differences were investigated. The relationships among these risk factors and the effects of each treatment on L and F BMDs were analyzed by correlation analyze test

Results: L and F BMDs were increased from baseline at 24 months in ALN and RLX groups but not in VD group (P<0.01), with greater increases in the ALN group (each P<0.05).

Significant correlations were found between baseline L BMD:F BMD ratio and the daily number of walks, family history of bone fracture, and alcohol intake. However, significant correlations were not found among these risk factors and the effects of each treatment on L BMDs or F BMDs.

Conclusion: The differences between lumbar and femoral BMDs were associated with walking habit, family history of bone fracture, and habits of alcohol intake in these postmenopausal women. But these risk factors were not associated with the effects of ALN, RLX, and VD treatment.