Osteoporosis induced by steroids can be treated with Teriparatide
by admin ~ December 16th, 2009.
Teriparatide, a synthetic form of the human parathyroid hormone can be used to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (OP), as per a recent study.
It was found by the involved researchers that patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and administered with teriparatide for a period of 36 months displayed a higher increase in the level of bone mineral density and fewer new vertebral fractures than those treated with alendronate.
The study findings were published in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The 36-month randomized, double-blind, and controlled trial was conducted at 76 centers located in 13 countries and led by Kenneth Saag, M.D., from the University of Alabama.
From News-Medical.Net:
Study participants were randomly assigned to receive injectable teriparatide (20 μg/day) plus oral placebo (150 subjects) or oral alendronate (10 mg/day) plus injectable placebo (144 subjects). Supplements of calcium (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day) were provided to all study participants. Subjects kept a daily journal to record their steroid use.
Results show at 36 months the BMD for lumbar spine was 11% higher than baseline in the teriparatide group compared with 5.3% in the alendronate group. The BMD (teriparatide versus alendronate) for total hip was 5.2% versus 2.7% and 6.3% versus 3.4% for femoral neck. Researchers also observed fewer vertebral fractures in subjects taking teriparatide (1.7%) than those administered alendronate (7.7%). Higher levels of calcium concentrations were noted in the teriparatide group (21%) than in the alendronate group (7%).
It was commented by Dr. Saag that there are a significant number of people treated regularly with steroids when it comes to controlling inflammation that often puts them at the risk of developing osteoporosis and teriparatide is a safe and effective treatment for patients with steroid-induced osteoporosis.
Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: alendronate, glucocorticoid, osteoporosis, Steroid, steroid use, teriparatide