title: The long-term effect of specific type II 5alpha-reductase inhibition with finasteride on bone mineral density in men: results of a 4-year placebo controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determine the effect of long-term suppression of dihydrotestosterone with finasteride, a specific type II 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, on bone mineral density.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a large (3,040 cases) 4-year, double-blind, placebo controlled trial designed to assess the long-term effects of finasteride in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, 157 men 46 to 76 years old who were randomized to receive either 5 mg. finasteride or placebo underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine at baseline and at years 2, 3 and 4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 117 patients who had a baseline measurement and at least 1 additional measurement during the study baseline mean plus or minus standard deviation bone mineral density values were 1.12 +/- 0.17 gm./cm.2 in the finasteride group (63) and 1.10 +/- 0.17 gm./cm.2 in the placebo group (54). After 4 years bone mineral density was not different between treatment groups (finasteride 1.14 +/- 0.17 gm./cm.2 and placebo 1.13 +/- 0.18 gm./cm.2). Similar results were obtained for the 33 finasteride and 25 placebo treated patients who completed the study with year 4 bone mineral density measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that long-term inhibition of type II 5alpha-reductase with finasteride does not adversely affect bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Alvin M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tenover
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McClung
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mobley
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grayhack
authors.forename: Hunter
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wessells
authors.forename: Dov
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kadmon
authors.forename: Malachi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: Gang K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldstreicher
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride