| Theme |
New Development in Vitamin D Therapy |
| Title |
Osteoporosis and vitamin D treatment |
| Author |
Hiroshi Naka |
Geriatrics and Nephrology, Osaka City University Medical School |
| Author |
Takami Miki |
Geriatrics and Nephrology, Osaka City University Medical School |
| [ Summary ] |
Active vitamin D therapy is one common treatment for osteoporosis in Japan. It increases bone formation with short term treatment and reduces bone resorption with longer treatment. It is accepted that active vitamin D treatment increases bone-mineral density and prevents risk of fractures. The increase in bone-mineral density is small, compared with that seen with bisphosphonates treatment, but anti-fracture effectiveness is compatible with bisphosphonates treatment. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism causes different responses to active vitamin D treatment. This may be the reason why the effectiveness of active vitamin D treatment has not recognized in some countries. Active vitamin D therapy is a useful treatment for osteoporosis in the long term, taking into consideration the incidence of hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia. |