The effect of a modified etidronate cyclical regimen on postmenopausal osteoporosis: a four-year study.

To develop an improved treatment schedule for osteoporosis, a study was undertaken in 100 postmenopausal women using a modified ADFR 90-day cyclical regimen with etidronate. After one year of treatment, the etidronate-treated group showed a significant increase in bone density of the spine, which continued over the following 2 years of treatment and remained stable during the fourth year. In contrast, in the non-etidronate group, bone density decreased significantly after four years. In addition, the fracture rate was significantly lower in the etidronate group than in the non-etidronate group. Side effects were minimal in both groups and no serious adverse reactions were reported. In conclusion, it appears that a cyclical regimen using 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, etidronate and calcium increases bone mass and reduces fractures with no significant side effects, thus making a useful contribution in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effect of nandrolone decanoate and 1-alpha-hydroxy-calciferol on patients with vertebral osteoporotic collapse. A double-blind clinical trial.

Eighty-eight postmenopausal women with at least one vertebral collapse were randomly assigned to two groups of 44 patients each. All patients were treated for a period of 12 months with 50 mg of nandrolone decanoate every 3 weeks or 1 microgram of 1-alpha-hydroxy-calciferol daily. Both groups received an identical placebo of the inactive drug. Pain intensity was significantly decreased in the nandrolone group and mobility was improved. Patients treated with vitamin D metabolite had also a beneficial but less obvious clinical result. Bone mineral measurements showed an increase of 5% in the nandrolone decanoate group, but a 2.5% decrease in the vitamin D metabolite group. Biochemical results showed a significant hypercalciuric effect of vitamin D metabolite, while nandrolone decanoate caused a reduction in calcium/creatinine excretion. No difference in serum lipids was found during the annual treatment in both groups. It is concluded that nandrolone decanoate has a beneficial effect in clinical symptoms, bone mineral density and biochemical parameters in patients with established osteoporotic vertebral fractures.