Long-term 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D therapy increases bone mineral density in osteopenic women. Comparison with the effect of plain vitamin D.
OBJECTIVE
Although the bone protective effect of vitamin D has been studied intensively, the usefulness of 1,25(OH)2D3 in treating osteoporosis is still questionable. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the effect of a standard pharmacological dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 in postmenopausal unsubstituted women.


METHODS
Our study group comprised 52 post-menopausal women with low normal or osteopenic values of bone mineral density (BMD). Thirty-two of them were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 3 years. In parallel, another group of women was treated with cholecalciferol (n=20). Vitamin D adequacy before administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 and compliance with treatment were checked by serum PTH levels, which were assessed at the start and three times in the course of treatment.


RESULTS
Increase in BMD at the spine at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (expressed as a percentage of the value before treatment) was higher, but did not significantly differ from the effect of plain vitamin D. A significant increase in BMD at the hip at the end of the 3rd (but not the 1st and 2nd) year of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 was found (p<0.05, compared with the effect of plain vitamin D). The protective effect of cholecalciferol was found only on spine but not hip BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the hypothesis that long-term administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 is effective in treating low bone mass in postmenopausal women.
Zofkova
Ivana
I
Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic. izofko@endo.cz
Hill
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol