title: Weekly oral alendronic Acid in male osteoporosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of alendronic acid 70mg once weekly for the treatment of male osteoporosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-month trial compared the effect of alendronic acid 70mg once weekly or placebo (randomised 2 : 1) on bone mineral density (BMD) in 167 men with spine or hip BMD at least 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for young normal white males or nontraumatic fracture. All patients received calcium and vitamin D (colecalciferol). We measured lumbar spine, hip and total body BMD, and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Fractures were collected as adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alendronic acid 70mg once weekly produced significant BMD increases from baseline of 4.3% at the spine, 2.1% at the femoral neck, 2.4% at the trochanter, and 1.4% at the total body, which were all significantly greater than placebo (p < 0.05). The increase at the lumbar spine was significant relative to baseline and placebo after 6 months of treatment (p < 0.001). The treatment effect was consistent regardless of BMD, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and hypogonadal status at baseline. Alendronic acid significantly decreased biochemical markers of bone turnover relative to baseline and placebo. Alendronic acid was generally well tolerated, with an incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events similar to placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alendronic acid 70mg administered once weekly is an effective and convenient alternative to daily dosing for the treatment of male osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Colorado Center for Bone Research, Lakewood, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schnitzer
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emkey
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orwoll
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vandormael
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daifotis