BMJ  2005;330:1400-1401 (18 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7505.1400

Editorial

Strontium ranelate for the treatment of osteoporosis

Is useful, but changes in bone mineral density need careful interpretation

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The successful treatment of osteoporosis is a relatively recent phenomenon. Although bisphosphonates are now established as the treatment of choice,¹ this only came about with the publication in 1996 of the FIT alendronate trial.² Nowadays the main treatment options are anti-resorptive agents that prevent bone breakdown. Most studies of these agents show good protection against fractures of the spine, while the more potent nitrogen containing bisphosphonates also show a reduction in non-vertebral fractures.^1-5 For patients with previous fractures, treatment with an anabolic agent that enhances bone formation is clearly preferable, and this is now possible since the introduction of 1-34 recombinant parathyroid hormone (PTH).⁶ However, the use of PTH is limited by its high cost and the need for subcutaneous self injection. Recently strontium ranelate has been licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of osteoporosis. Here we draw attention to the unusual effect of strontium treatment on . . . [Full text of this article]

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT
(ignac.fogelman@kcl.ac.uk)

Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London SE1 9RT

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• (2006). {blacktriangledown}Strontium ranelate for osteoporosis?. DTB 44: 29-32 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Donnelly, R. (2005). Antiplatelet therapy and prevention of ischaemic events: CAPRIE. British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease 5: 203-206  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

effect on glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis

zvi yosipovitch md
bmj.com, 17 Jun 2005 [Full text]

Bone densitometry is a scarce resource

Dougal J Jeffries
bmj.com, 21 Jun 2005 [Full text]

Re: effect on glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis

Ignac Fogelman
bmj.com, 21 Jun 2005 [Full text]