Alendronate prevents bone loss in Chinese women with osteoporosis

The objectives of the Hong Kong study are to investigate the efficacy of 10 mg alendronate in preventing bone loss at the hip and spine in osteoporotic Chinese women. One hundred osteoporotic Chinese women, aged 60-79 years, were randomized to receive 10 mg of alendronate or placebo, with 500 mg elemental calcium. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and hip were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Seventy-eight subjects completed the study. The alendronate-treated group gained more bone at both the spine (p < 0.01) and femoral neck (p < 0.001), with a mean difference (+/-SE) of 2.4% (+/-0.86%) at the spine and 3.98% (+/-0.95%) at the femoral neck. Of the 100 patients, 6 subjects in the alendronate group and 5 subjects in the placebo group had mild gastrointestinal symptoms. We conclude that alendronate (10 mg) was effective in preventing bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporotic Chinese women.