Combined use of ibandronate and eldecalcitol in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of combined use of ibandronate and eldecalcitol for 6 to 12 months on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength of the proximal femur in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis.

Methods: BMD and bone strength of the proximal femur were evaluated in 78 postmenopausal women (mean age, 73.6 years) who underwent treatment for osteoporosis with combined use of ibandronate and eldecalcitol for at least 6 months. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and every 6 months thereafter. Hip structure analysis of the narrow neck and intertrochanter was performed by a radiologist using DXA images.

Results: Respectively for the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip, BMD significantly increased (from baseline) by 4.54%, 2.31%, and 1.56% at 6 months and by 5.92%, 3.02%, and 2.70% at 12 months. In hip structure analysis, most parameters improved significantly. Respectively for the narrow neck and intertrochanter, BMD significantly increased (from baseline) by 2.37% and 2.71% at 6 months and by 3.46% and 3.52% at 12 months; cross-sectional area significantly increased by 1.83% and 3.39% at 6 months and by 2.91% and 3.46% at 12 months; section modulus significantly increased by 2.42% and 4.11% at 6 months and by 4.84% and 3.26% at 12 months; cortical thickness significantly increased by 2.49% and 3.33% at 6 months and by 3.73% and 3.37% at 12 months; and buckling ratio significantly decreased by 2.97% and 2.57% at 6 months and by 3.86% and 2.99% at 12 months.

Conclusion: Combined use of ibandronate and eldecalcitol for 6 months significantly improved bone strength of the proximal femur in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis.