BONE-MINERAL DENSITY EVALUATED BY DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY AFTER ONE-YEAR TREATMENT WITH CALCITRIOL STARTED IN THE PREDIALYSIS PHASE OF CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

Thirteen patients in the predialysis phase of chronic renal failure (C RF) were treated with calcitriol (0.25 mu g/day) and 12 with placebo. After 1 year of study, an increase in bone mineral density in the calc itriol group measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was seen for the femoral neck and lumbar spine when compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). We conclude that a steady low dose of calcitriol started in the predialysis phase of CRF is benefici al to the patients with CRF. This may be partly due to suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism.