Science / Medicine : Reducing Risk of Fractures

A synthetic form of Vitamin D appears to significantly reduce the risk of fractures in older women with brittle bones, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Murray W. Tilyard and his colleagues at the University of Otago in New Zealand said their work suggests that the drug, called calcitriol, “is an important therapeutic option” for women with thinning bones after menopause.

However, this approach is controversial. Some earlier studies concluded that calcitriol does not work.

In the new study, 622 women were randomly assigned to take calcitriol or calcium. In the third year of the study, there were only 10 vertebral compression fractures for each 100 women taking calcitriol, compared to 32 in the calcium group.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Charles H. Chestnut III of the University of Washington argued against routinely using calcitriol to prevent broken bones: “At present, it must be viewed as an experimental treatment, to be used under close supervision.”

The drug theoretically works by stimulating calcium absorption in the digestive tract and by promoting new bone formation.