Effects of Alendronate and Calcitonin on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women. An observational study

Abstract

Postmenopausal osteoporotic women were observed during their first year of treatment. Among them, 32 patients used alendronate and 18 used calcitonin.

Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and after 1 year of therapy. Biochemical markers (B-ALP--bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, OTC--osteocalcin and DPD/UCr--deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio) of bone metabolism were measured at baseline and 6 months later.

Patient compliance was assumed by tablet counting and verified at interview. Alendronate treatment increases BMS significantly more than calcitonin, compliance was greater in calcitonin group.