The effect of tibolone on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis--8 years follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
This longitudinal observational study evaluated the effect of 8 years of uninterrupted treatment of tibolone on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with significant osteopenia or osteoporosis.


METHODS
Subjects were 66 postmenopausal women (29 with moderate or severe osteopenia and 37 with osteoporosis) who took tibolone (2.5 mg nocte) uninterruptedly for over 8 years and who attended for annual BMD assessments. Their mean age was 66.7 (0.86) years (range 50-86 years). BMD measurements at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were performed annually by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).


RESULTS
During the 8 years of treatment with tibolone there was a significant increase in BMD at the spine (P < 0.001) and at the hip (P < 0.001). Women who did not have previous oestrogen therapy had significantly greater response to tibolone than those who had previous treatment with conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).


CONCLUSIONS
This long-term observational study provides evidence of the effectiveness of tibolone in postmenopausal women with moderate/severe osteopenia and osteoporosis in terms of a significant increase in BMD.
Prelevic
Gordana M
GM
Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. g.prelevic@ucl.ac.uk
Markou
Athina
A
Arnold
Amanda
A
Bartram
Clive
C
Puzigaca
Zarko
Z
Ginsburg
Jean
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; C027385:tibolone