BACKGROUND: Several formulations of vitamin D and alendronate are available for the treatment of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to examine efficacy and safety of calcifediol (25(OH)D) compared to cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3) and also the relationship between different formulations of alendronate and adverse reactions. METHODS: We observed a population of women diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis or osteopenia treated with alendronate 70 mg weekly associated to vitamin D-3 or 25(OH)D at monthly total dose of 625 mu g. Data collected both at baseline (T0) and at follow-up after at least 12 months of therapy (T1) were: demographic characteristics, BMI, full medical history, lumbar T-score, femur T-score, calcium, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, PTH and vitamin D blood level. RESULTS: A total of 362 patients were enrolled in the study. Alendronate 70 mg + calcifediol (A+25(OH)D) group consisted of 202 patients while 160 patients were treated with alendronate 70 mg + cholecalciferol (A+D-3). In the A+25(OH) D group, we observed a significant increase in lumbar T-score value (0.26 +/- 0.35 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.3) and serum vitamin D (20.64 +/- 20.71 vs. 6.07 +/- 7.61 ng/mL) levels compared to the A+D-3 group (P<0.05). The lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions was observed among patients taking alendronate 70 mg in drinkable solution form (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Alendronate 70 mg with calcifediol gives a better outcome in the treatment of osteoporosis according to lumbar T-score and vitamin D serum level observed at one-year follow-up compared to alendronate 70 mg with cholecalciferol. Both vitamin D formulations did not show to cause hypercalcemia in this study. Alendronate 70 mg in drinkable solution form is also associated with lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions.

Article: Safety and effects of calcifediol 0.266 milligrams soft capsules monthly and cholecalciferol 25000 international units monthly in osteoporotic women undergoing therapy with alendronate: a cross-sectional study - Minerva Endocrinology 2024 Apr 04 - Minerva Medica - Journals

Background: There is a growing interest in bone tissue MRI and an even greater interest in using low-cost MR scanners. However, the characteristics of bone MRI remain to be fully defined, especially at low field strength. This study aimed to characterize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), T₂, and T₂* in spongy bone at 0.3 T, 1.5 T, and 3.0 T. Furthermore, relaxation times were characterized as a function of bone-marrow lipid/water ratio content and trabecular bone density. Methods: Thirty-two women in total underwent an MR-imaging investigation of the calcaneus at 0.3 T, 1.5 T, and 3.0 T. MR-spectroscopy was performed at 3.0 T to assess the fat/water ratio. SNR, T₂, and T₂* were quantified in distinct calcaneal regions (ST, TC, and CC). ANOVA and Pearson correlation statistics were used. Results: SNR increase depends on the magnetic field strength, acquisition sequence, and calcaneal location. T₂* was different at 3.0 T and 1.5 T in ST, TC, and CC. Relaxation times decrease as much as the magnetic field strength increases. The significant linear correlation between relaxation times and fat/water found in healthy young is lost in osteoporotic subjects. Conclusion: The results have implications for the possible use of relaxation vs. lipid/water marrow content for bone quality assessment and the development of quantitative MRI diagnostics at low field strength.