title: Comparison of alendronate and intranasal calcitonin for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
abstract: This study compared the effects of oral alendronate and intranasal calcitonin for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Women at least 5 yr postmenopause (n = 299) were randomized to either 10 mg alendronate, matching alendronate placebo, or open-label intranasal calcitonin 200 IU daily for 12 months. Hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover were measured, and safety and tolerability were assessed. Alendronate produced greater increases in BMD than calcitonin at 12 months at the lumbar spine (5.16% vs. 1.18%; P < 0.001), trochanter (4.73% vs. 0.47%; P < 0.001), and femoral neck (2.78% vs. 0.58%; P < 0.001). Changes in BMD with calcitonin were greater than with placebo at the femoral neck, but were not different from placebo at either the trochanter or lumbar spine. Greater decreases in bone turnover were seen with alendronate than with calcitonin (serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, 43% vs. 9%, P < 0.001; urinary N-telopeptide, 62% vs. 11%, P < 0.001). Similar percentages of patients in each group reported an adverse experience during the study. We conclude that, in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 12 months of therapy with alendronate produced significantly greater increases in BMD of the hip and spine and greater decreases in bone turnover than intranasal calcitonin.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23219, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Favus
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mako
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gormley
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Melton
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D019386:Alendronate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003094:Collagen / Q000652:urine; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010455:Peptides / Q000652:urine; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; D010919:Placebos; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D002116:Calcitonin; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D019386:Alendronate