RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of estrogen replacement therapy and pamidronate on the bone metabolism in the postmenopausal women. METHODS: This prospective randomized clinical trial examined the effects of oral pamidronate and conjugated equine estrogen, in combination and seperately, on biochemical markers of bone turnover in 140 women with low bone mass. Treatment included pamidronate (group I, n=50), or conjugated equine estrogen (group II, n=50), conjugated equine estrogen plus alendronate (group III, n=40) for 12 months. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were also measured at months 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline in Group I, Group II and Group III decreased signifiantly at 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). But total alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly during the treatment in Group III, but not in Group I and Group II. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment with pamidronate and conjugated equine estrogen is more effective in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis by decreasing bone biochemical markers.