Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2009) 30: 372-378; doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.12

Aim: To observe the efficacy and safety of Rocaltrol (calcitriol) and/or Caltrate D (calicum carbonate plus vitamin D) in elderly Chinese women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Methods: One hundred fifty Chinese women aged over 65 years with osteopenia or osteoporosis from three centers were randomly divided into two groups.  Seventy-six participants received Caltrate D as one pill daily; the other 74 participants received 0.25 µg Caltrate D plus Rocaltrol daily.  The changes in bone mineral density (BMD) served as primary end-points.  Height changes, the presence of new vertebral fractures, muscle strength and balance were evaluated. 

Results: The following are the mean percentage changes (and SD) in BMD over 12 months: at L2–L4, 0.83± 3.88 in the Caltrate D group and 2.84± 4.04 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.003, by ANCOVA ); at the femoral neck, 0.04± 3.94 in the Caltrate D group and 2.01± 5.45 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.085, by ANCOVA); and in the trochanter, 1.59± 4.57 in the Caltrate D group and 3.76± 6.25 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.053, by ANCOVA).  The stand and maximal forward reach test (SMFRT) was significantly enhanced in both groups during the 12 months of treatment, but no significant differences were found between these two groups.  No severe adverse event related to these medications occurred throughout the study.   

Conclusion: Treatment with Rocaltrol plus Caltrate D or Caltrate D for 12 months in elderly Chinese postmenopausal women effectively increased BMD at the lumbar spine.  Rocaltrol plus Caltrate D was more effective at the lumbar spine than Caltrate D alone.

Keywords:  osteoporosis; elderly Chinese women; calcitriol; vitamin D; bone mass