The effect of raloksifen and risedronate therapy on serum biochemical markers

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of raloxifen and risedronate therapy on bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis.Materials and Methods: In the period between 2004 and 2007 years, 90 postmenopausal patients were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to three study groups: Control group, raloxifen group and risedronate group were treated with 1000 mg elementary calcium + 400 IU vitamin D/day, 1000 mg elementary calcium + 400 IU vitamin D/day + 60 mg raloxifen/day and 1000 mg elementary calcium + 400 IU vitamin D/day + 35 mg risedronate/week, respectively.The mean age of patients in control, raloksifen and risedronate group was 57.5±8, 60.5±7.6 and 60.9±8.2 years, respectively. BMD was evaluated at the beginning and twelfth month of treatment by DXA. Blood levels of bone turnover markers osteocalcin and CTX were calculated before the treatment and at 3., 6., 9. and 12. months of the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 13. One-Way ANOVA test was used for the comparisons between groups. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used to evaluate repeated measurements within the groups.Results: L1-L4 and femur total BMD were significantly improved in treatment groups compared to control group (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Femur shaft and trochanteric BMD values were higher in treatment groups than control group but the difference was not statistically significant. Blood osteocalcin and CTX values were significantly lower in treatment groups than control group after 6. month of treatment (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively).Conclusion: BMD measurements and biochemical markers -particularly in early period of therapy- were effective in the follow up and evaluation of treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis.