Endocrine Abstracts

Teriparatide is a skeletal anabolic drug that represents the first and new class of bone anabolic agents able to increase bone formation, bone mineral density and strength. Several studies demonstrated the efficacy of this drug in post-menopausal and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, but few data are available on the effects of the drug in long-term therapy in humans, so far.

We analyzed a population of 135 women in post-menopausal age treated with teriparatide for 18 months between 2005 and 2011, with the aim to evaluate efficacy, safety and adherence to treatment. The efficacy of teriparatide was evaluated as the incidence of new fractures, which was low (0.74%). The overall tolerability of teriparatide was good. Treatment discontinuation because of adverse effects was 2.22% (1.48% for dispnoea, 0.74% for nausea and myalgia). Adherence and compliance to treatment were high (94.07%). Only eight women (5.93%) stopped treatment and only three of these (37.3%) due to an adverse reaction. In view of the most frequently occurring adverse effects, the levels of calcium, phosphorus, calciuria, uric acid, alkaline phosphatise and PTH were assessed at the beginning and at the end of treatment. The reduction of back pain was evaluated by using the visual analogic scale (VAS). We observed only a significant increase of phosphorus (10.9% P<0.04) and uric acid (57% P<0.05) levels; a significant reduction of back pain (VAS at the begin of treatment 9.0±2; VAS at the end of treatment 4.2±1.8; P<0.0001) was observed. None of the patients who completed 18 months therapy had significant side effects. These data show that teriparatide is a safe, well tolerated and effective therapy in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.