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05-03-2025 | Osteoporosis | Original Article

Therapeutic efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with calcium and calcitriol in the treatment of senile osteoporosis in elderly patients

Authors: Yi Zhang, Yuan Tian, Xiaojun Chen

Published in: Inflammopharmacology

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of combining zoledronic acid with calcium supplements and calcitriol in treating primary osteoporosis in elderly patients.

Methods

Seventy-eight elderly patients with primary osteoporosis were recruited. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the CC group (calcium carbonate D3 tablets + calcitriol soft capsules) or the CCZ group (calcium carbonate D3 tablets + calcitriol soft capsules + zoledronic acid injection). The treatment duration was 1 year. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers, quality of life (QoL), clinical efficacy, and incidence of adverse reactions (ARs) were assessed.

Results

CCZ group showed increased BMD in the lumbar spine (L1~L4 segments), femoral neck, and hip after treatment relative to CC group. Serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, cross-linked type 1 collagen C-terminal peptide, and N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen decreased, while osteocalcin levels increased. The QoL Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis scores decreased (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The clinical effective rates were 76.93% in the CC group and 92.31% in the CCZ group, with AR rates of 23.08% and 12.82%, respectively (P < 0.05 for both).

Conclusion

Zoledronic acid treatment in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis demonstrates significant efficacy by increasing bone density, improving bone metabolism, enhancing QoL, and exhibiting high safety.
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Metadata
Title
Therapeutic efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with calcium and calcitriol in the treatment of senile osteoporosis in elderly patients
Authors
Yi Zhang
Yuan Tian
Xiaojun Chen
Publication date
05-03-2025
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Inflammopharmacology
Print ISSN: 0925-4692
Electronic ISSN: 1568-5608
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-025-01683-4