The effect of raloxifene on markers of bone turnover in older women living in long-term care facilities.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of raloxifene on bone turnover in elderly women.


METHODS
Clinical intervention.


METHODS
Long-term care facilities.


METHODS
Nineteen women completed the study, mean age 85 (range 76-99).


METHODS
Raloxifene 60 mg was given daily for 12 weeks.


METHODS
Markers of bone turnover were plasma C-telopeptides of type I collagen (CTx), urine cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) and serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP 5b), plasma osteocalcin, and serum bone alkaline phosphatase. Other markers were serum 25-OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, and phosphate. Markers were measured at baseline, after calcium and vitamin D had been taken for 6 weeks, after raloxifene had been taken for 12 weeks, and 6 weeks after raloxifene had been stopped. Paired sample t test was used to examine changes in markers at each time point.


RESULTS
Plasma CTx decreased on average by 31%, urinary NTx by 35%, plasma osteocalcin by 25%, serum bone alkaline phosphatase by 15% (P<.01), and serum TRAP 5b by 10% (P<.05) on treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Raloxifene reduces bone turnover in elderly women living in long-term care facilities. The effect of raloxifene on bone turnover is comparable with that seen in younger postmenopausal women.
Hansdóttir
Helga
H
Department of Geriatrics, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Franzson
Leifur
L
Prestwood
Karen
K
Sigurdsson
Gunnar
G
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers; D015519:Bone Density; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014807:Vitamin D; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium