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We analyzed the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) or bone turnover marker (BTM) changes and vertebral fracture incidence in women treated with bazedoxifene using a post hoc analysis from a 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effect of bazedoxifene (20 or 40 mg) on fracture risk reduction. BMD was assessed at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years. Osteocalcin and C-telopeptide of type I collagen were assessed at baseline and at 3, 12, and 36 months. Vertebral fractures were assessed with a semiquantitative visual assessment. Data were available for 5,244 women, of whom 3,476 were treated with bazedoxifene. Using a logistic regression analysis and the classical Li approach, the proportion of fracture incidence explained by BMD change after 3 years of bazedoxifene treatment was 29 % for the total hip and 44 % for the femoral neck. The proportion of treatment explained by lumbar BMD change could not be quantified accurately because of the significant interaction between treatment and change in BMD. With the same model, the 12-month BTM changes explained up to 29 % of the fracture risk reduction observed with the two forms of bazedoxifene. In women treated with bazedoxifene, changes in femoral neck BMD, hip BMD, or BTMs explained a moderate proportion of the fracture risk reduction observed during the 3 years of follow-up. However, BMD or BTM changes cannot be recommended for individual monitoring of women treated with bazedoxifene.

We report a 67-year-old man who presented with a 3-month history of progressively increasing pain in the lumbar spine. His past medical history was unremarkable, and physical examination disclosed local tenderness over the lower spine. No neurologic dysfunction was identified. Routine laboratory evaluation including alkaline phosphatase activity was normal. An X-ray film of the lumbar spine showed enlargement and increased density of L-5 vertebra. A whole-body bone scan revealed markedly increased uptake at the L-5 level. To further evaluate the nature of the disorder and the cause of his pain, a computed tomography (CT) scan was obtained. It disclosed multiple lucent areas with some sclerotic changes mainly affecting the vertebral body of L-5. No spinal stenosis was found. Subsequently, a bone biopsy of L-5 was performed that showed typical findings consistent with Paget's disease. The patient was treated with etidronate (200 mg b.i.d. for 6 months) followed by salmon calcitonin (50 IU 3 times/week s.c. for 6 months). The pain declined gradually in severity and the patient became symptom free after 12 months of treatment. A repeat X-ray film, obtained at that time, showed no significant change. However, a bone scan showed almost complete normalization. The present case illustrates that a high index of suspicion is required when only a single vertebra is affected by Paget's disease, especially, when alkaline phosphatase activity is normal. It may present with severe pain without evidence of neurologic dysfunction. CT scan may be a useful adjunct in establishing the diagnosis and elucidating the cause of pain.

A 42-year-old woman presented to our institution with a 2-week history of bone pain in the lower extremities. Her history was remarkable for duodenal ulcer and long-term treatment with a magnesium-aluminum hydroxide antacid (Maalox) and sucralfate. Initial laboratory studies showed severe hypophosphatemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. Bone scan showed multiple areas of increased uptake consistent with osteomalacia and microfractures. The patient recovered completely following withdrawal of antacids and sucralfate and short-term treatment with phosphate. Although hypophosphatemia induced by aluminum-containing antacids is rare, treatment of peptic ulcer disease with a combination of two aluminum-containing agents may increase the risk of clinically significant hypophosphatemia. Awareness of this condition is important, because early recognition can prevent morbidity and lead to safe and effective treatment.