Subcutaneous collagen reduction as postmenopausal osteoporosis risk factor: diagnosis and prevention

Fifty postmenopausal women were enrolled in our outpatient Prevention of Po stmenopausal Disease Clinic. An informed consent was obtained from all pati ents. We evaluated the subcutaneous collagen decrease using an ultrasound t echnique through Osteoson DCIII. According to the major or minor collagen r eduction the women were divided in two groups of 25 patients each (Group A and B). Women who showed a major collagen reduction (Group A) were treated by oral HRT while those with a minor collagen reduction received Ca + Vit. D-3 (Gro up B). Both the therapies have been administered once a day, for three mont hs. The collagen thickness has been evaluated again at the end of the study. Al l the HRT treated subjets showed an increase in collagen density and thickn ess; on the contrary no significative changes were observed in the control group. 60 days follow-up demonstrated that the effects of the HRT were pers istent after the discontinuity if therapy.