Diminished effect of etidronate in vitamin D deficient osteopenic postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of vitamin D deficiency in osteopenic postmenopausal women treated with intermittent cyclical etidronate have been studied. Bone mass and biochemical parameters as bone markers were measured before and after one year of therapy with intermittent cyclical etidronate.


RESULTS
In 30 patients without vitamin D deficiency, bone mass in the lumbal spine and femoral neck was significantly increased compared to 28 vitamin D deficient patients. After cyclical intermittent etidronate therapy, serum osteocalcin and PTH were significantly increased in the vitamin D deficient patients, whereas in non-vitamin D deficient patients they did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
It is worthwhile measuring serum vitamin D before starting etidronate therapy and, in case of deficiency, to give vitamin D.
Koster
J C
JC
Medisch Onderzoekcentrum Good Clinical Practice, Den Haag, The Netherlands.
Hackeng
W H
WH
Mulder
H
H
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications*
D010758:Phosphorus; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D008274:Magnesium; D012968:Etidronic Acid; D002118:Calcium