title: [Evaluation of the use of calcitonin in rheumatoid arthritis by bone densitometry and the study of of phospho-calcium metabolism].
abstract: Forty-eight patients were subdivided into three groups according to the stage of their rheumatoid arthritis and to whether or not they received glucocorticoids; they were compared to healthy volunteers of similar sex, age, and body weight. Before calcitonin treatment, bone mineral content (BMC) of RA patients was significantly lowered, especially in patients with 3rd and 4th Steinbroker degree and in those taking glucocorticoids. Synthetic eel calcitonin was administered in three 60-day cycles separated by 40-day intervals with daily dosage 40 U.M.R.C. (1 vial). This treatment did not result in a increase of BMC compared to baseline. A further decrease of BMC observed at the end of treatment was not statistically significant. No appreciable variation was found in parameters of phospho-calcic metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pappalardo
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buccheri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Letizia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattina
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Mazzola
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015519:Bone Density; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Valutazione dell'impiego della calcitonina nell'artrite reumatoide mediante densitometria ossea e studio del metabolismo fosfo-calcico.