title: Parathyroid hormone 1-84 accelerates fracture-healing in pubic bones of elderly osteoporotic women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to increase bone mineral density and to reduce the rate of fractures in patients with osteoporosis and also to improve fracture-healing. The purpose of the present prospective, randomized, controlled study was to evaluate the effect of PTH 1-84 on the course of pelvic fracture-healing and functional outcome in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients had a dual x-ray absorptiometry scan, radiographs, and a computed tomography scan to document pelvic fractures. Twenty-one patients received a once-daily injection of 100 µg of PTH 1-84 starting within two days after admission to the hospital, and forty-four patients served as the control group. All patients received 1000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D. Computed tomography scans were repeated every fourth week until radiographic evidence of cortical bridging at the fracture site was confirmed. Functional outcome was assessed with use of a visual analog scale for pain and a Timed "Up and Go" test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean time to fracture healing was 7.8 weeks for the treatment group, compared with 12.6 weeks for the control group (p < 0.001). At eight weeks, all fractures in the treatment group were healed and four fractures in the control group were healed (healing rate, 100% compared with 9.1%; p < 0.001). Both the visual analog scale score for pain and the result of the Timed "Up and Go" test improved in the study group as compared with the control group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In elderly patients with osteoporosis, PTH 1-84 accelerates fracture-healing in pelvic fractures and improves functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Hans Sachs Gasse 10-12, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peichl
authors.forename: Lukas A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Gerold
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holzer
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone