Calcitriol treatment is not effective in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if calcitriol is an effective treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 2 years' duration.


METHODS
University medical center with patients recruited by media announcements.


METHODS
Eighty-six postmenopausal women with vertebral compression fractures.


METHODS
Patients were treated with calcitriol or placebo. Mean dose was 0.43 micrograms/d. Dietary calcium was 1000 mg/d (24.9 mmol/d). The medication dose and dietary calcium were adjusted for hypercalciuria or hypercalcemia.


RESULTS
No significant differences between placebo and control groups were seen in the percent change in total body calcium (0.4% +/- 1.0 compared with 0.0% +/- 0.9), single photon absorptiometry (-0.5% +/- 1.2 compared with -3.1% +/- 0.9) or dual photon absorptiometry (0.0% +/- 1.7 compared with -1.0% +/- 2.2). New fractures were seen in 16% of the placebo group and 26% of the calcitriol groups, so the difference in percent fractures was 10% (95% CI, -5.7% to 25.7%). Bone biopsies did not show changes in either group. The calcitriol group had significantly higher serum and urine calcium values, but renal function was not worse than in the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcitriol is not an effective treatment for established postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Ott
S M
SM
University of Washington, Seattle.
Chesnut
C H
CH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology
D002117:Calcitriol