Alendronate Improves Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Women with Osteoporosis Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities

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Abstract
Many elderly female residents of long-term care facilities have osteoporosis and could benefit from intervention to increase bone density. To examine the efficacy and safety of alendronate for treatment of osteoporosis in elderly female residents of long-term care facilities. Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-year study. 25 long-term care facilities. 327 elderly women with osteoporosis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive alendronate, 10 mg/d, or placebo. All patients also received vitamin D, 400 IU/d, and some patients received supplemental calcium (total intake, approximately 1500 mg/d). Bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Alendronate produced significantly greater increases in BMD than did placebo (24-month differences: spine, 4.4% [95% CI, 3.3% to 5.5%]; femoral neck, 3.4% [CI, 2.3% to 4.4%]). Alendronate produced greater decreases from baseline in biochemical markers of bone turnover than did placebo (P < 0.001). Alendronate increased BMD at both the spine and hip in elderly female residents of long-term care facilities.