Effect of alendronate on bone mineral density in Puerto Rican males with osteoporosis

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis in men was not recognized as a major health problem until recently, and increased research in this area resulted in the approval of alendronate for the treatment of osteoporosis in men at the beginning of this decade. Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been demonstrated to be a strong predictor of fracture in men as it is in women. The causes of osteoporosis in men are variable and can be classified as primary or secondary. The aim of these report is to present the response of BMD in 10 Puerto Rican men with secondary causes of osteoporosis treated with alendronate. A significant increase of BMD in spine, total hip, trochanter and intertrochanteric regions were noted. A non-significant increase in femoral neck was observed.