[Role of estrogen in the pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis].
Since approval by the Food and Drug Administration of bisphonate and calcitonin for the prophylaxis of osteoporosis, estrogen preparations are no longer the only drugs effective against this disease. However, because of their effects on systems other than bone, estrogens remain the gold standard of osteoporosis therapy in postmenopausal women, and health care workers should reacknowledge the benefits of estrogen therapy. Although several recent, multicenter double-blind studies have reported that estrogens increase bone mineral density (BMD) and prevent fractures, further substantiating their clinical efficacy, the effects of estrogens on BMD and fracture risk can vary widely among individuals. Rather than being used indiscriminately, estrogens should therefore be used in selected patients most likely to benefit from such therapy. Treating such patients will improve drug compliance, promote continued treatment, and therapy firmly establish the role of estrogen therapy.
Ohta
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University.
Nozawa
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*