Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis with Calcitriol or Calcium

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a common problem whose management is controversial. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D³) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, we conducted a three-year prospective, multicenter, single-blind study in 622 women who had one or more vertebral compression fractures. The women were randomly assigned to receive treatment with calcitriol (0.25 μg twice a day) or supplemental calcium (1 g of elemental calcium daily) for three years. New vertebral fractures were detected by means of lateral roentgenography of the spine each year, and calcium absorption was measured in 392 of the women.