Influence of treatment with alendronate on the speed of sound, an ultrasound parameter, of the calcaneus in postmenopausal japanese women with osteoporosis: A clinical practice-based observational study

Purpose: The influence of alendronate (ALN) treatment on the quantitative ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus remains to be established in Japanese patients. The aim of the present clinical practice-based observational study was to examine the influence of ALN treatment for 1 year on the speed of sound (SOS) of the calcaneus and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis. Patients and methods: Forty-five postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis who had received treatment with ALN for more than 1 year were enrolled in the study. The SOS and bone turnover markers were monitored over 1 year of ALN treatment. Results: The urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly from the baseline values (-44.9% at 3 months and -22.2% at 12 months, respectively). The SOS increased modestly, but significantly, from the baseline value (0.6% at both 6 and 12 months). The percentage decrease in the urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen at 3 months was significantly correlated with the percentage increase in the SOS only at 6 months (correlation coefficient, 0.299). Conclusion: The present study confirmed that ALN treatment suppressed bone turnover, producing a clinically significant increase in the SOS of the calcaneus in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis.