STRONTIUM RANELATE EFFICACY ON BACK PAIN AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN PATIENTS WITH POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS WITH AND WITHOUT GLUCOCORTICOID TREATMENT

Strontium ranelate (SR) is a safe and efficient treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) that simultaneously inhibits bone resorption and stimulates bone formation, increasing bone mineral density (BMD). It reduces the risk both of vertebral and hip fractures. The aim of the study was within 1 year to evaluate the effect of SR on back pain and BMD in patients (pts) with PMO with and without glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. 113 women were included in the study - 42 women with PMO and inflammatory joint and connective tissue diseases, receiving GCs, and 71 women with PMO without GC treatment. We performed spine BMD dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing and thoracic and lumbar X-rays evaluation at baseline and after 1 year. Back pain was assessed at baseline, on the 3rd and the 12th month by a 4-point scale. Results showed a significant increase in the mean BMD and significant reduction in back pain from baseline to the 3rd and 12th month in both groups. It was concluded that 1 year of treatment with SR combined with calcium and vitamin D improves BMD and reduces back pain in patients with PMO under GC treatment, as well as in those without GC treatment.