Lancet
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Randomised controlled study of effect of parathyroid hormone on vertebral-bone mass and fracture incidence among postmenopausal women on oestrogen with osteoporosis.
Small increases in bone mass are commonly seen with existing treatments for osteoporosis, which reduce bone remodelling and primarily prevent bone loss. Since these drugs reduce but do not eliminate risk of fractures, an anabolic agent that would increase bone mass and potentially cure the underlying skeletal problem is needed. ⋯ We found that PTH has a pronouned anabolic effect on the central skeleton in patients on hormone-replacement therapy. PTH also increases total-body bone mineral, with no detrimental effects at any skeletal site. The increased vertebral mass was associated with a reduced rate of vertebral fracture, despite increased bone turnover. Bone-mass changes may be consistent with a reduction in all osteoporotic fractures. If confirmed in larger studies, these data have important implications for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.