August 22, 2008 — Strontium ranelate is
effective in younger postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 years with severe
osteoporosis, according to the results of a study reported in the August 19
Online First issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
"Early osteoporotic fractures have a great impact on the disease progression,
the first fracture being a major risk factor for further fractures," write
Christian Roux, from Université Paris-Descartes in Paris, France, and
colleagues. "Subsequently, the efficacy of antiosteoporotic treatments in the
younger women appears of utmost interest. Strontium ranelate is an
antiosteoporotic treatment, simultaneously reducing bone resorption while
promoting bone formation."
In the Spinal Osteoporosis Therapeutic Intervention, an international,
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, strontium ranelate 2 g/day orally was
effective in reducing the risk for vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women
with osteoporosis and a prevalent vertebral fracture. The present analysis
included data collected during 4 years in 353 women aged 50 to 65 years who were
enrolled and randomly assigned in the Spinal Osteoporosis Therapeutic
Intervention.
During a 4-year period, treatment with
strontium ranelate was associated with a significantly reduced risk for
vertebral fracture by 35% (relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 -
0.99; P < .05). During the same time frame, the mean increase in bone mineral
density from baseline in the strontium ranelate group was by 15.8% at the lumbar
spine and 7.1% at the femoral neck.
Limitations of this study include possible overestimation of bone mineral
density measurement because strontium is a heavier element than calcium.
"Our study indicates a significant efficacy of strontium ranelate in reducing
the risk of subsequent vertebral fractures in young postmenopausal women with
severe osteoporosis," the study authors write. "These data together with
previous reports confirm the efficacy of this antiosteoporotic drug at all
ages."
