[The efficacy of combined use of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 with calcium supplements in the treatment of osteoporosis].
Synthetic analogue of active vitamin D metabolite, 1 alpha (OH) D3, has been widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis. However, the most effective method of treatment is yet to be established. Importance of calcium supplement to improve the calcium metabolism in osteoporosis is also reported by many authors. We have studied the combined effects of 1 alpha (OH)D3 with calcium supplement in preventing progressive decrease of bone mass in patients with osteoporosis. Sixty-six cases of postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis were divided into two groups: one treated with calcium alone 1,000 mg a day and the other treated with calcium 1,000 mg and 1 alpha (OH)D3 0.5 microgram a day, and both groups were followed for 24 months. Bone mass was evaluated by microdensitometry of the roentgenograms of the second metacarpal bone. The results revealed that the combined use of 1 alpha (OH)D3 with calcium has a significantly more favorable effect than the use of calcium alone in preventing bone loss. Therefore, 1 alpha (OH)D3 with calcium is useful in the treatment of osteoporosis. The conclusion would be further confirmed with longer term study and a more accurate method of measuring bone mass.
Yoshikawa
S
S
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Ohno
A
A
Moro
K
K
Matsumoto
M
M
Nemoto
H
H
Seki
H
H
Kaneko
N
N
Hosokawa
O
O
Ishijima
H
H
D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D002118:Calcium; C008088:alfacalcidol