Strontium ranelate normalizes bone mineral density in osteopenic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the capacity of strontium ranelate to restore normal bone mineral density (WHO definition: T-score >or=-1) in post-menopausal osteopenic women (T-score between -1 and -2.5) at baseline.


METHODS
Post-hoc analysis from SOTI and TROPOS studies of 1428 patients randomly assigned to receive either 2 g of strontium ranelate a day or placebo for three years. Bone mineral density was measured at baseline and each year for three years. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.


RESULTS
At lumbar spine, after one, two and three years of treatment with strontium ranelate, 26.4, 42.1 and 58.2% respectively of osteopenic patients normalized their bone mineral density, compared with 6.6, 8.9 and 11.9% in the placebo group (all p<0.001). At total hip, the percentage of patients normalizing their bone mineral density was 5.4, 10.0 and 19.6% in the strontium ranelate group and 1.8, 1.4 and 1.6% in the placebo one (all p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Strontium ranelate is able to normalize bone mineral density in a significant proportion of osteopenic patients after one, two and three years of treatment. The clinical relevance of these results should be confirmed by direct demonstration of the anti-fracture efficacy of strontium ranelate in osteopenic patients.
Malaise
Olivier
O
WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspect of Osteoarticular Disorders, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Bruyere
Olivier
O
Reginster
Jean-Yves
JY
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013876:Thiophenes; C081587:strontium ranelate