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.
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.
Matsumoto
Alvin M
AM
VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Tenover
Lisa
L
McClung
Michael
M
Mobley
David
D
Geller
Jack
J
Sullivan
Michael
M
Grayhack
John
J
Wessells
Hunter
H
Kadmon
Dov
D
Flanagan
Malachi
M
Zhang
Gang K
GK
Schmidt
Joseph
J
Taylor
Alice M
AM
Lee
Michael
M
Waldstreicher
Joanne
J
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*
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride