title: Zoledronic acid increases bone mineral density and improves health-related quality of life over two years of treatment in Chinese women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is characterised by decreased bone mass and weakened bones, with an increased risk of fractures. Osteoporotic fracture, the most serious complication of osteoporosis, is related not only to lower bone mineral density (BMD), but also falls. Osteoporosis and fractures are associated with a decreased health-related quality of life (HRQL). Zoledronic acid (ZOL) is an intravenous once-yearly bisphosphonate that has been shown to be effective and safe in improving BMD and reducing fracture risk in controlled clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this self-controlled, prospective trial, 220 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age 67 years) received a single infusion of ZOL 5 mg at baseline and month 12. BMD, HRQL and Fall Index (FI) were measured at baseline, and months 12 and 24 (before each use of ZOL). The main outcome measures were the changes in lumbar spine and hip BMD and the changes in HRQL, the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). Additional comparisons were based on the FI. LSD multiple comparisons were used in the comparisons of BMD, SF-36 domain scores and FI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients had significantly higher L1-4, total hip, femoral neck and trochanter BMD (P < 0.05) with improved HRQL (P < 0.05) over two years of treatment of once-yearly ZOL 5mg. FI was reduced (P < 0.05) with oral daily elemental calcium and vitamin D in the treatment course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZOL improves BMD and HRQL, especially in the physical aspects, over two years of treatment in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, and can help improve balance ability.
authors.forename: Shushu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: lh2116@126.com.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiufen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Changchang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002681:China; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D014807:Vitamin D; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D002118:Calcium