Additive effect of elcatonin to risedronate for chronic back pain and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Liu Zhen-yu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.33.005

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Salmon calcitonin or elcatonin has been reported to al eviate acute and severe back pain caused by osteoportic fracture. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of the combined use of elcatonin and risedronate in the treatment of chronic back pain and the improvement of quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS:Forty-five postmenopausal women with osteoporosis accompanied by chronic back pain persisting for more than 3 months, after excluding women with fresh vertebral fractures within the last 6 months, were randomly assigned to a risedronate group (administration of risedronate alone, n=22) and a combined drug group (combined administration of risedronate and elcatonin, n=23). Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris questionnaire. Bone mineral density was determined by dual-energy X-ray. Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) at 6 months after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were 20 and 19 cases in the risedronate and combined drug groups, respectively included in the final analysis. Significant improvements were found in the combined drug group for VAS and mental health status section scores in the SF-36 at final fol ow-up compared with baseline and 3-month fol ow-up, while no change was found in the risedronate group. Bone mineral density was increased significantly in both groups, while no significant difference was found between groups. These findings suggest that the use of elcatonin in addition to risedronate for more than 3 months may reduce chronic back pain in osteoporosis patients.