The Efficacy of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators Monotherapies in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Gerontology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Osteopenia is an underrecognized risk factor for fractures in postmenopausal women.
• The efficacy of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for osteopenia in this population is limited.
• This study evaluates SERMs' efficacy in postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteopenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of three types of SERMs in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
• To determine the impact of raloxifene, bazedoxifene, and raloxifene with cholecalciferol on hip and spine BMD over three years.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two postmenopausal women with osteopenia were enrolled.
• Participants received raloxifene (N=15), bazedoxifene (N=8), or raloxifene with cholecalciferol (N=9).
• Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured annually for three years using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in hip and spine BMD were observed across all treatment groups.
• Group I (raloxifene) showed hip BMD increase of 9.7% and spine BMD of 10.3%.
• Groups II (bazedoxifene) and III (raloxifene + cholecalciferol) demonstrated greater BMD improvements, with hip BMD increases of 38.0% and 38.2%, and spine BMD increases of 12.4% and 16.2%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) significantly improve both hip and spine bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
• Preemptive treatment with SERMs is recommended for postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteopenia.
• No fractures were reported in any patient group during the three-year follow-up period.