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Monofluorophosphate increases lumbar bone density in osteopenic patients: A double-masked randomized study

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Abstract

To assess the efficacy of combined sodium monofluorophosphate and calcium therapy (FC) in increasing lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with low bone mass, we conducted a prospective double-masked randomized study in 94 patients aged 50–70 years. Patients were selected on the basis of a lumbar BMD at least 2 standard deviations (SD) below the young adult mean (T-score) but without evidence of previous vertebral fracture (severe osteopenia). They were randomly assigned to receive for 2 years, twice a day, either FC (13.2 mg F−, i.e. 100 mg sodium monofluorophosphate, and 500 mg Ca2+) or C (500 mg Ca2+). Vertebral BMD was measured by dual photon absorptiometry from L2 to L4. Comparison at final assessment in the 76 eligible patients (Student'st-test) showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean BMD increase in favour of FC. Furthermore, Student'st-test showed a significantly greater increase in lumbar BMD in FC-treated patients at 1 year, at 18 months and after 2 years (mean increase of 7.1%/year). These results were confirmed by ANOVA at 1 year, at 18 months and after 2 years of treatment. Of the FC-treated patients, 71.4% were considered to have responded (i.e. they showed an increase in lumbar BMD of more than 0.034 g/cm2). The dosage of 26.4 mg fluoride ion/day (i.e. 200 mg monofluorophosphate/day) therefore appears to be safe and to increase the BMD effectively in patients with low bone mass prior to vertebral fracture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CHRU Amiens, Place Victor Pauchet, F-80030, Amiens, Cedex, France

    J. L. Sebert & I. Mennecier

  2. Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille

    P. Richard & J. P. Bisset

  3. Yamanouchi Pharma, Charenton-Le-Pont, France

    G. Loeb

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  1. J. L. Sebert
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  2. P. Richard
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  4. J. P. Bisset
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Sebert, J.L., Richard, P., Mennecier, I. et al. Monofluorophosphate increases lumbar bone density in osteopenic patients: A double-masked randomized study. Osteoporosis Int 5, 108–114 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623312

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623312

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