Evaluation of the drug therapy for established osteoporosis by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

The effects of the drug therapies for the osteoporosis were evaluated by DXA of lumbar vertebrae and the frequency of vertebral fractures. Females above the age of 50 suffering from senile or postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomly divided into four treatment groups. In the single drug therapy groups, patients received either ipriflavone 600 mg/day (OSTEN), or elcatonin 20 IU/week (CT). In the multiple drug treatment groups, patients received either daily oral administration of 2 g calcium lactate and 0.5 microgram alphacalcidol (Ca.D), or a repeated 14-week cycle of daily oral administration of 2 micrograms alphacalcidol for 2 weeks, 600 mg of ipriflavone for 4 weeks, and 2 g calcium lactate together with 0.5 microgram alphacalcidol for 8 weeks (ADFR). The BMD was maintained in each treatment group regardless of age and BMI. Fracture incidence could not be suppressed in the OSTEN and Ca.D groups. A tendency of improvement was observed in subjects without spinal fracture. DXA can accurately judge the drug efficacy at 12 months after treatment. Early evaluation and treatment are advisable in postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis.