[Prediction of vertebral strength using a CT based finite element method--clinical application in evaluation of the efficacy of alendronate].
QCT-based nonlinear finite element method(CT/FEM) can accurately predict vertebral compressive strength ex vivo. Alendronate effects were also prospectively assessed using CT/FEM in 33 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis who were treated with alendronate at a dose of 5 mg/day for 1 year. At 3 months, vertebral strength significantly increased by 10.2% from baseline (p<0.0001). The minimum principal strain distribution showed that the area of high fracture risk decreased. At 1 year, the density of the inner cancellous bone increased by 8.8% (p=0.0013), while the density of the juxta-cortical area increased by 13.6% (p=0.0004). CT/FEM detected alendronate effects at 3 months. Alendronate altered density distributions, thereby decreasing the area with a high fracture risk, resulting in increased vertebral strength.
Ohnishi
Isao
I
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Tokyo.
D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019245:Compressive Strength; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate