[Postmenopausal osteoporosis. Digital Rx radiogrammetry in the diagnosis and follow-up of treatment with alfacalcidol]

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is characterised by an increased resorption of trabecular bone, a consequence of estrogen deficit. Changes in vitamin D metabolism are also an important contributors to the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D and its active metabolites (Alfacalcidol, Calcitriol) perform important functions in regulation of the calcium balance and the bone metabolism. Aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of Alfacalcidol (Alpha D3) in reducing the loss of bone mass. 391 postmenopausal women with osteopenia and 165 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were treated 24 months with Alfacalcidol. The bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Digital Rx Radiogrammetry (DXR). In osteopenic women treated with 0.5 mg Alfacalcidol, bone mineral density increased after 12 and 24 months with 3.4% and 2.3%. In osteoporotic women the increase of BMD was 1.8% and 2.4% after 12 and respectively 24 months. On the control group BMD decreased with 3.4% after 24 months. In our study Alfacalcidol confirmed the abolishment of the loss of bone mass.