Osteoporosis; evaluation of diagnosis and therapy

Bone mineral content was determined in the radius of 29 osteoporotic patients by the photon absorption method. Mineral content was within the normal range in nine of 24 osteoporotic women. Ratios representing the bone mineral content in the proximal and distal areas of the radius did not distinguish osteoporotic subjects or patients with hyperparathyroidism from normal subjects. Ten osteoporotic women had mineral measurements during a two-year period while receiving placebo or an intake of 2,200 mg of phosphorus and 2,400 mg of calcium. No increase in radial mineral content was observed during this regimen or after adding vitamin D. We conclude that the mearurement of mineral in the radius does not always accurately reflect the overall skeletal mass in an individual patient and that prolonged therapy with high phosphorus and calcium intake did not increase the radius mineral content.