DIMINISHED EFFECT OF ETIDRONATE IN VITAMIN-D-DEFICIENT OSTEOPENIC POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: The effects of vitamin D deficiency in osteopenic postmenop ausal women treated with intermittent cyclical etidronate have been st udied. Bone mass and biochemical parameters as bone markers were measu red before and after one year of therapy with intermittent cyclical et idronate. Results: In 30 patients without vitamin D deficiency, bone m ass in the lumbal spine and femoral neck was significantly increased c ompared to 28 vitamin D deficient patients. After cyclical intermitten t etidronate therapy, serum osteocalcin and PTH were significantly inc reased in the vitamin D deficient patients, whereas in non-vitamin D d eficient patients they did not change. Conclusion: It is worthwhile me asuring serum vitamin D before starting etidronate therapy and, in cas e of deficiency, to give vitamin D.