Long-term treatment with 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 with calcium supplement in spinal osteoporotic patients.

Abstract

The long-term effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium lactate in osteoporotic patients was evaluated by the bone mineral density (BMD) measured at the distal one third and one sixth of the radius and by the vertebral fracture rate. Forty-five osteoporotic patients medicated for 1 to 13 years (treated group) and 11 osteoporotic patients with no medication for 1 to 3 years (control group) were compared. The BMD of the treated group remained unchanged for the first 4 (one-third site) and 6 years (one-sixth site), followed by significant decreases, whereas that of the control group decreased significantly at the second and third year. The effect on BMD was more prominent in the patients with lower initial BMD. The vertebral fracture rate of the treated group was significantly less than that in the control group at the third year. No serious side effects were recognized. Overall, we believe 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 with calcium supplement can be considered a safe and effective agent for long-term use in osteoporotic patients.