title: Radiographic features of the spine in fluoride therapy for osteoporosis.
abstract: In the search for a simple method of assessing the therapeutic efficacy of sodium fluoride, a prospective study of vertebral radiography during such treatment was carried out. Treatment of osteoporosis with sodium fluoride, calcium and vitamin D was found to enhance the vertical markings of the vertebral trabecular pattern in 69% of patients. This response was graded 1 (failure), 2 (good) and 3 (excellent); Grade 2 or 3 was attained after a mean treatment period of 31.7 months. Subsequent analysis of the vertebral fracture rate revealed that new vertebral fractures had occurred only in patients with Grade 1 and not in those with Grade 2 or 3. We recommend that treatment should aim at increasing the vertebral trabecular pattern to Grade 2 or 3 and that the duration of therapy should be approximately 30 months.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002118:Calcium