title: Combination therapy for osteoporosis with estrogen, fluoride, and calcium.
abstract: Nine women with postmenopausal spinal osteoporosis were treated with combination therapy consisting of estrogen, fluoride, and calcium. Their data were compared with those of a control group treated with fluoride, and calcium without estrogen. Bone mass was measured about every six months by photon absorptiometry (bone mineral content/bone width (BMC/BW)] and total-body neutron activation analysis [total-body calcium (TB Ca)]. Time-trend analysis revealed positive slopes for TB Ca (P = 0.002) and BMC/BW (P = N.S.) for the combination therapy group. The change in BMC/BW in the combination therapy group was significantly different from the response in the fluoride - calcium group. These data suggest that combination therapy may be successful in increasing bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis. A clinical trial to establish efficacy and examine risk/benefit ratios should be performed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D008903:Minerals; D005459:Fluorides; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium