[Effects of SERMs on bone health. The effects of raloxifene on bone quality evaluated by hip structure analysis]

The effects of treatment with raloxifene on bone quality (proximal femur geometry) are evaluated by hip structure analysis. Raloxifene shows the significant improvement of the index of resistance to bending forces (section modulus) in Japanese patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Raloxifene decreased the endocortical bone resorption without affecting the periosteal bone formation. These mechanism induced the increasing the cortical thickness, cross section area, and bone strength. A similar trend was seen in the bisphosphonates. On the other hand, teriparatide increase bone mineral density and bone strength in femoral neck and intertrochanter, but did not show significant changes in femoral shaft.