TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SENILE, POST‐MENOPAUSAL AND CORTICOSTEROID‐INDUCED OSTEOPOROSIS WITH lα‐HYDROXYVITAMIN D₃ AND CALCIUM: SHORT‐ AND LONG‐TERM EFFECTS

Abstract

SUMMARY The immediate effect of lα‐hydroxyvitamin D 3 (1α‐OHD 3 ) and calcium on blood and urine chemistry and intestinal calcium absorption rate was studied in seventeen patients, six with sede, five with post‐menopausal, and six with corticosteroid‐induced osteoporosis. In all groups, there was a significant increase in calcium absorption rate and uripary calcium excretion. In patients with post‐menopausal and corticosteroid‐induced osteoporosis, the serum calcium level was significantly increased even further. In patients with corticosteroid‐induced osteoporosis, the excretion of urinary phosphate increased significantly. In the other groups, it also increased, although non‐significantly. The effect of long‐term treatment with 1α‐OHD 3 and calcium supplements was followed in five patients with senile and five with post‐menopausal osteoporosis. Six patients were fully relieved from lumbar pain, and, in nine, physical activity was greatly improved. Despite the treatment, compression of lumbar vertebrae increased in three patients. In both groups, urinary calcium excretion increased significantly. Six patients had occasional hypercalcaemia, although their serum calcium and phosphate were generally normal. The uripary phosphate excretion decreased, although non‐significantly. The bone mineral content rose in five patients and decreased in another five, although non‐significantly. The trabecular bone area determined by repeated bone biopsies in four treated patients significantly increased.