[Estrogen therapy in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis].

BACKGROUND

The effects of estrogen-therapy on bone mineral density and the incidence of fractures in 132 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis have been studied.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo or estrogens (0.15 or 0.3 or 0.625 mg) for 64 months. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with the use of Hologic QR-1000 densitometers, in all women.

RESULTS

A significant increase in bone mineral density was observed in women receiving estrogens, whereas in those receiving placebo there was a decrease in bone mineral density.