EVIDENCE THAT THE LOSS OF BONE MASS INDUCED BY GNRH AGONISTS IS NOT TOTALLY RECOVERED

There is disagreement as to whether the loss of bone mass induced by G nRH agonists is reversible. In part, the differences of opinion might be attributed to the fact that the influence of weight and seasonal ch anges on bone mass is often overlooked, Taking into consideration weig ht and seasonal changes in bone mass, total (TBBMC) and regional body bone mineral content were measured in 38 women treated with GnRH agoni sts for 6 months for endometriosis or leiomyomata. Measurements were m ade at the onset of treatment, at 6 months of treatment and at 6 month s after finishing treatment, TBBMC was corrected for body weight. Body weight had increased significantly at 6 months of treatment (P = 0.01 75). Regional bone mineral content showed the following: limbs, no cha nges; head, significantly lower at 12 months than at baseline (P = 0.0 036) and at 6 months (P = 0.0343) of therapy; trunk, significantly low er at 6 months (P = 0.0002) compared to baseline, but the values at 1 year were not significantly different from either the baseline or the 6-month values; pelvis, the same pattern of change as in the trunk (P = 0.0349). TBBMC was significantly lower at 6 months of treatment (P < 0.0001) and at 1 year (P = 0.0162). TBBMC adjusted for weight experie nced the same changes as unadjusted bone mineral content (P < 0.0001 a nd P < 0.0009 at 6 months and 1 year, respectively), Our findings indi cate that the bone mass lost with GnRH treatment had not been restored 6 months after discontinuing treatment.