Calcium absorption in postmenopausal osteoporosis : Benefit of HRT plus calcitriol, but not HRT alone, in both malabsorbers and normal absorbers

• Published in: Osteoporosis international 2000, Vol.11 (1), p.43-51
• Main Authors: HOLZHERR, M. L, RETALLACK, R. W, CRIDDLE, R. A, KENT, G. N, BHAGAT, C. I, DHALIWAL, S. S, JAMROZIK, K, GUTTERIDGE, D. H, PRICE, R. I, FAULKNER, D. L, WILSON, S. G, WILL, R. K, STEWART, G. O, STUCKEY, B. G. A, PRINCE, R. L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Density - physiology; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Calcitriol - administration & dosage; Calcitriol - metabolism; Calcium - administration & dosage; Calcium - metabolism; Estrogen Replacement Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Intestinal Absorption - physiology; Malabsorption Syndromes - complications; Malabsorption Syndromes - metabolism; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - drug therapy; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - metabolism; Pharmacology. Drug treatments
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s001980050005

In a randomized trial involving 71 postmenopausal osteoporotic women with vertebral compression fractures, radiocalcium absorption studies using the (45)Ca single isotope method (alpha) were performed at baseline and after 8 months of treatment with either continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT, as piperazine estrone sulfate 0.625-0.937 mg daily +/- medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg daily depending on uterine status) or HRT plus calcitriol 0. 25 microg twice daily. A calcium supplement of 600 mg nocte was given to only those women who had a daily calcium intake of less than 1 g per day at baseline, as assessed by recalled dietary intake. There was a significant decrease [0.74 (+/- 0.35 SD) to 0.58 (+/- 0. 22), Dalpha = -0.17 (+/- 0.26), p