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Long-term 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D therapy increases bone mineral density in osteopenic women. Comparison with the effect of plain vitamin D

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Abstract

Backgroud and aims: Although the bone protective effect of vitamin D has been studied intensively, the usefulness of 1,25(OH)2D3 in treating osteoporosis is still questionable. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the effect of a standard pharmacological dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 in post-menopausal unsubstituted women. Methods: Our study group comprised 52 post-menopausal women with low normal or osteopenic values of bone mineral density (BMD). Thirty-two of them were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 3 years. In parallel, another group of women was treated with cholecalciferol (n=20). Vitamin D adequacy before administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 and compliance with treatment were checked by serum PTH levels, which were assessed at the start and three times in the course of treatment. Results: Increase in BMD at the spine at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (expressed as a percentage of the value before treatment) was higher, but did not significantly differ from the effect of plain vitamin D. A significant increase in BMD at the hip at the end of the 3rd (but not the 1st and 2nd) year of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 was found (p<0.05, compared with the effect of plain vitamin D). The protective effect of cholecalciferol was found only on spine but not hip BMD. Conclusion: The study supports the hypothesis that long-term administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 is effective in treating low bone mass in post-menopausal women.

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  1. Institute of Endocrinology, Národní 8, 116 94 Prague 1, Prague, Czech Republic

    Ivana Zofkova MD & Martin Hill

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  1. Ivana Zofkova MD
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  2. Martin Hill
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Correspondence to Ivana Zofkova MD.

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Zofkova, I., Hill, M. Long-term 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D therapy increases bone mineral density in osteopenic women. Comparison with the effect of plain vitamin D. Aging Clin Exp Res 19, 472–477 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324733

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