Changes in bone histomorphometry after long-term treatment with intermittent, cyclic etidronate for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract Intermittent, cyclic etidronate therapy (400 mg/day for 2 weeks followed by 13 weeks free from study drug administration) resulted in a significant increase in lumbar bone mineral content and a significant decrease in the rate of new vertebral fractures in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. To investigate the effect of the treatment on bone histomorphometry, transiliac crest bone biopsy samples were obtained in this study before treatment and after 60 and 150 weeks of treatment with either intermittent, cyclic etidronate (n = 33) or placebo (n = 33). After 60 weeks of etidronate therapy, significant decreases in activation frequency (from 0.55 to 0.09 year,−1P < 0.01) and resorption depth (from 53.2 to 37.8 μm, P < 0.05) were observed, leading to a positive balance per remodeling cycle. In the placebo group, no significant changes were seen. The 150 week bone biopsy samples were suboptimal for analysis, probably as a result of a regional acceleratory phenomenon. Our results suggest that, as a result of reductions in both activation frequency and resorption depth, intermittent, cyclic etidronate therapy may protect the trabecular network against fortuitous perforations and thereby maintain the strength of the bony tissue.