Could Prior Oral-bisphosphonate Administration Reduce the Acute Phase Reaction of Zoledronate?

OBJECTIVE: Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of osteoporosis. This study was designed to analyze the rate of acute phase reaction (APR) following Zoledronate 5 mg administration in patients with osteoporosis who were treated with prior oral bisphosphonate for at least 2 weeks and to compare naive IV 5 mg Zoledronate. METHODS: Between July 2009 and October 2010, 27 patients with osteoporosis who were treated with prior oral bisphosphonate for at least 2 weeks, and maximum 52 weeks (average 18.5 weeks) and were between 42-and 85-year-old at the time of study participation. We prospectively evaluated APR, including fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, arthralgia, and myalgia, after 5 mg zoledronate by questionnaire. Additionally we assessed a visual analogue scale (VAS) by 4-point categorical scale. RESULTS: In this study of 27 patients with osteoporosis, the frequency of APR, flu-like symptom and myalgia were 14.8% and 7.4% and fever, arthralgia, and headache were 3.7% respectively. In VAS, all reactions were mild. The rate of APR rate in this study was statistically decreased compared to previous reports with zoledronate 5 mg IV in bisphosphonate-naive patients. CONCLUSION: Prior oral bisphosphonate administration for at least 2 weeks could significantly reduce the APR of IV zoledronate 5 mg.

Analysis of Osteoporosis Risk-factor for Women after Menopause; Through the Free Medical-examination Campaign / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: We performed research and analysis to determine the risk factors of osteoporosis for women after menopause by conducting a survey and measuring the bone density through a free program to diagnose osteoporosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Kyungpook National University organized and then started the free osteoporosis diagnosis program on May 11 in 2005. One hundred forty six women whose age was between the early forties and late eighties took the survey. The risk factors for osteoporosis were analyzed according to the data which was obtained from the survey. The measurements of the bone mineral density (BMD) of right calcaneus area were recorded by the use of ultrasound equipment. RESULTS: Within the results, between the advancing age (P=0.000) of subjects, the lower BMI (P=0.002), the more children (P=0.004), the breast fed longer (P=0.047), the individuals who had a lower age when menopause began (P=0.037) and their BMD showed significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The results express that the osteoporosis risk-factors for Korean women, despite the advancing age and the lower BMI as absolute factors, that the more children, the longer breast feeding and the lower the age that menopause began, would result in a lower density of bone.

Effect of 8-week Therapy with Rabeprazole on Presenting Symptoms in Korean Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux diease (GERD) is common in Western civilization and comprise 75% of esophageal diseases. However, there are only few studies of GERD in Korea. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical symptoms of GERD in Koreans and the effect of rabeprazole on the symptoms. METHODS: The study subjects were included 353 patients who were diagnosed endoscopically with reflux esophagitis (316) or non-erosive reflux disease who have complained of intermittent heartburn during the past 3 months or more. All patients received rabeprazole 20 mg daily for 8 weeks. Symptoms according to 8 symptom categories of GERD were evaluated. Patients recorded the severity of GERD associated symptoms at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment. Presenting symptoms in Korean, frequency and severity of each symptom was evaluated. Efficacy of Rabeprazole treatment was analysed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms of GERD were regurgitation (60.9%), heartburn (52.7%), epigastric pain/ soreness (49.6%) and other epigastric discomfort (47.0%). Symptom severity was rated in order of epigastric pain/ soreness, epigastric discomfort, and heartburn. The proportion of all symptoms, except for heart burn and cough, increased in relation to the severity of endoscopic grading, but the severity of symptoms was not significantly different between subgroups according to endoscopic findings. Symptoms, except for hoarseness, globus sensation and cough, significantly improved in 4 weeks after treatment. Cough did not improve after 4 weeks irrespective of smoking status, All symptoms significantly improved after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Regurgitation was more common, and epigastric symptoms were more severe than heartburn in Koreans. The 8-week rabeprazole treatment was effective on all symptoms associated with GERD.