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Efficacy of etidronate and sequential monofluorophosphate in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis: a pilot study.

Ringe JD, Dorst A, Faber H, Kipshoven C, Rovati LC, Setnikar I

Klinikum Leverkusen (University of Cologne), Medizin. Klinik 4, 51375 Leverkusen, Germany. ringe@klinikum-lev.de

In a three-year pilot study on 52 women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment with etidronate followed by calcium and vitamin D (ECaD) was compared to etidronate followed by monofluorophosphate, calcium and vitamin D (EFCaD). BMD in lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck increased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD. Pain-mobility score decreased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD (p=0.006). New vertebral fractures occurred in three patients under EFCaD (12%) and in nine under ECaD (35%), (p=0.048). Three patients under EFCaD (12%) and 15 under ECaD (58%) did not respond to therapy (p of difference=0.001). Mild or moderate adverse reactions were reported by 25 patients, with no significant difference between the two groups. The pilot study suggests that etidronate, sequentially followed by monofluorophosphate, could be a safe, effective and relatively inexpensive therapy in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Published 12 May 2005 in Rheumatol Int, 25(4): 296-300.
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