The influence of calcium and calcium + vitamin D2 treatment on bone mineral after partial gastrectomy.

Sixty-three men and 23 women who had undergone partial gastrectomy for ulcer disease were randomized into three groups to study the effect of calcium (2 g per day) and calcium + vitamin D2 (1000 IU calciferol per day) treatment for eight months on bone mineral. The Americium-241 gamma ray attenuation method was used to measure the changes in bone mineral density. Calcium and calcium + vitamin D2 increased the bone mineral density statistically significantly in the males, but not in females. Partial gastrectomy causes bone rarefaction, and consequently these patients reach the risk level of bone mineral density for osteoporotic fractures earlier than healthy subjects. The conclusion drawn was that prophylactic treatment is needed after partial gastrectomy. Further study is required, especially of women, to find the most suitable form of treatment for disturbances in bone mineral metabolism after gastric resection.