title: The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: It is well recognized that patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis usually exhibit some degree of calcium malabsorption and commonly have low serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol). Administration of calcitriol has been shown to normalize calcium absorption in patients with osteoporosis and, over the long term may have a stimulating effect on bone formation. Clinical trials have shown a significant reduction in osteoporotic fractures among calcitriol-treated patients. Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria are infrequent complications of calcitriol therapy with physiologic doses (0.25 microgram twice daily), and are most commonly related to excessive calcium intake (i.e., > 1000 mg daily).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol