Once-monthly oral ibandronate improves biomechanical determinants of bone strength in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.
BACKGROUND
Bone strength and fracture resistance are determined by bone mineral density (BMD) and structural, mechanical, and geometric properties of bone. DESIGN, SETTING, AND OBJECTIVES: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient study evaluated effects of once-monthly oral ibandronate on hip and lumbar spine BMD and calculated strength using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) with finite element analysis (FEA) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with hip structural analysis (HSA).


METHODS
Participants were women aged 55-80 yr with BMD T-scores -2.0 or less to -5.0 or greater (n = 93).


METHODS
Oral ibandronate 150 mg/month (n = 47) or placebo (n = 46) was administered for 12 months.


METHODS
The primary end point was total hip QCT BMD change from baseline; secondary end points included other QCT BMD sites, FEA, DXA, areal BMD, and HSA. All analyses were exploratory, with post hoc P values.


RESULTS
Ibandronate increased integral total hip QCT BMD and DXA areal BMD more than placebo at 12 months (treatment differences: 2.2%, P = 0.005; 2.0%, P = 0.003). FEA-derived hip strength to density ratio and femoral, peripheral, and trabecular strength increased with ibandronate vs. placebo (treatment differences: 4.1%, P < 0.001; 5.9%, P < 0.001; 2.5%, P = 0.011; 3.5%, P = 0.003, respectively). Ibandronate improved vertebral, peripheral, and trabecular strength and anteroposterior bending stiffness vs. placebo [7.1% (P < 0.001), 7.8% (P < 0.001), 5.6% (P = 0.023), and 6.3% (P < 0.001), respectively]. HSA-estimated femoral narrow neck cross-sectional area and moment of inertia and outer diameter increased with ibandronate vs. placebo (respectively 3.6%, P = 0.003; 4.0%, P = 0.052; 2.2%, P = 0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
Once-monthly oral Ibandronate for 12 months improved hip and spine BMD measured by QCT and DXA and strength estimated by FEA of QCT scans.
Lewiecki
E Michael
EM
New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center, 300 Oak Street NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA. lewiecki@aol.com
Keaveny
Tony M
TM
Kopperdahl
David L
DL
Genant
Harry K
HK
Engelke
Klaus
K
Fuerst
Thomas
T
Kivitz
Alan
A
Davies
Richard Y
RY
Fitzpatrick
Lorraine A
LA
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid