Effectiveness of raloxifene on bone mineral density and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women with low BMD after discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy

Objective: To evaluate the effect of raloxifene on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women who had discontinued hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: Thirty-four post-menopausal women with low BMD who had taken 60 mg of raloxifene daily for 12 months after discontinuing HRT were evaluated retrospectively. Information about their demographics, fracture history, BMD, lipid profiles and adverse events were collected from medical records and intranet database. The outcome measures were changes in the spine (L2-L4) and femur BMD, serum lipid concentrations, fracture rate and tolerability. Results: The post-menopausal women had a significant increase in their spine (L2-L4) and femur BMD from their baseline BMD [spine, 2.9 +/- 4.6% (P < 0.001); femur, 3.0 +/- 6.6% (P = 0.01)]. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly reduced by 22.6% below baseline after 12 months (P = 0.007). No fractures were observed during therapy. Raloxifene was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was hot flash, which was generally mild. Conclusions: Raloxifene increases BMD at important skeletal sites, and lowers LDL cholesterol with tolerable adverse events.