Abstract

Total 74 postmenopausal osteopenic women confirmed by DEXA with T score <-1.5 were recruited. Group 1 (n=37), received 70 mg oral alendronate and calcium 500mg and VitD 200 IU, Group 2 (n=37) received calcium and VitD in same doses. Therapy was given for 6 months and followup DEXA was done at 6 months. Out of 102 postmenopausal cases 74 were found eligible (71% showing low T score, 30% had osteoporosis and 41% had osteopenia). They presented at median 7 years after menopuase at mean age of 46.7 years. In lumber spine, T score, Z score and BMD (gm/cm2) improved from -2.4±1.4, -1,8 0.9, 0.751 to -2.2± 1.1, -1.4± 0.9, 0.815 (p=0.001); at hip joint 1.5±0.89, 0.8±1.5, 0.734 to -1.3±1.0, -0.9±0.8, 0.762 (p=0.01) respectively in group 1 wheras in group 2, in lumbar spine, -2.2± 0.85, -1.3± 0.72, 0.808 to-2.1± 0.89, -1.3±1.40, .818, (p>0.05) at hip joint -1.5±0.74, 0.8±0.71, .767 to -1.4±0.67, -1.1±1.50,.764 (p=0.07). There was improvement in BMD by 8.5% in spine and 3.8%in hip in group 1 and 1.2% in spine and no effect in hip in group 2. Hence weekly alendronate is effective and safe. Screening by DEXA in postmenopausal women should be started at 55 years of age in Indian senario.

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