Influence of alendronate therapy on bone mineral density in postmenopausal period

Thirty two postmenopausal women (aged 52.8 +/- 3.1 years) within one year after menopause were enrolled in the investigation. Indication of alendronate therapy was to treat the postmenopausal osteoporosisin such cases when estrogen administration was contraindicated or the patients refused the hormone replacement therapy. Daily dose of alendronate natrium (Fosamax(R) MSD, USA) treatment was 10 mg. In all cases serum Calcium, Phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levers were in the normal range. During the therapy mean of T-score measured in lumbal spine changed from -2.67 +/- 0.38 to -2.23 +/- 0.32 (p < 0.05) and in femur neck from -2,78 +/- 0.46 to -2.46 +/- 0.39 (p < 0.05). This result indicates that alendronate treatment has a positive effect on bone mineral density in the postmenopausal period if hormone replacement therapy is contraindicated.