Effects of the antiresorptive therapy on bone metabolic activity in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis, a systemic disease of bones, represents a serious health and socio-economic problem because of its consequences - bone fractures. It is believed that 10% of the world population suffers from osteoporosis and it affects mostly postmenopausal women. Methods: The survey was conducted within a group of 80 postmenopausal women with osteopenia treated with antyresorptive therapy. The control group included 40 postmenopausal women who did not take any kind of therapy. Bone metabolic activity was evaluated by using osteocalcin as a parameter of bone formation. Blood analysis were made before therapy introduction and 3 months after initial therapy. The average value of osteocalcin three months after tibolone and HRT therapy was lower compared to the average value of osteocalcin before the treatment. Results: During implementation of tibolone and HRT therapy, osteocalcin serum concentrations were significantly lower than those before the therapy. Achieved results showed high efficiency of tibolone and HRT on bone resorption and suppressive effects on bone formation, what arises from connections between bone formation and resorption. Conclusion: Monitoring parameters of bone metabolic activity is also very useful diagnostic tool in assessing the effects of tibolone on bone metabolic activity and possibly forecast the final outcome on bone mass.