| Objective To evaluate the effect of salmon calcitonin combined with alendronate sodium on bone and joint pain, and to observe the changes of bone mineral density (BMD), and the serum concentrations of bone Gla protein (BGP) and calcitonin (CT) in senile osteoporosis patients. Methods Seventy-four senile osteoporosis patients in our hospital were treated with salmon calcitonin combined with alendronate sodium. All of them were given an intramuscular injection of 50 IU salmon calcitonin once every other day. After 15 continuous injections, they were given an oral medication of 1 capsule alendronate sodium once a week. The whole treatment lasted for 6 months. The degree of bone and joint pain before and after treatment was estimated with visual analogue scale (VAS). BMD of the lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4), the femur neck, and Wards region was tested before and after the treatment. Serum concentrations of BGP and calcitonin were tested before and after the treatment. All the results were statistically analyzed. Results After 6-month treatment with salmon calcitonin combined with alendronate sodium in senile osteoporosis patients, the relief of pain in bone and joint was obvious, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). BMD and the serum concentrations of BGP and calcitonin after the treatment were significantly different from those before the treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion The treatment with salmon calcitonin combined with alendronate sodium in senile osteoporosis patients can signi?cantly improve BMD and serum concentration of calcitonin, and can reduce the serum concentration of bone Gla protein, relieve bone and joint pain in patients, ameliorate the symptoms, and increase BMD. It has an evident efficacy on senile osteoporosis. |