Vitamin D, hydroxyapatite, and calcium gluconate in treatment of cortical bone thinning in postmenopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Women with primary biliary cirrhosis malabsorb calcium, phosphate and vitamin D, and develop accelerated cortical bone thinning. We have assessed the value of parenteral vitamin D, oral hydroxyapatite (HA), and calcium gluconate (CG) in the treatment of cortical bone thinning in primary biliary cirrhosis. Sixty-four postmenopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis were assigned randomly into three groups: one group receiving no mineral supplements (control), one group receiving HA, and one group receiving CG. All patients received parenteral vitamin D2 (100,000 IU monthly). Eleven patients withdrew from the study and 10 withdrew due to poor compliance (six HA, four CG). Over a 14-month follow-up period, none of the groups showed a significant change in serum calcium or inorganic phosphate levels. Pre- and posttreatment hand radiographs were used to assess changes in metacarpal cortical thickness using the technique of caliper radiogrammetry. Cortical bone loss occurred in the control group (p less than 0.01). The HA group showed a significant gain in cortical bone thickness (p less than 0.01), while no significant change occurred in the CG group. This study indicated that vitamin D2 does not halt metacarpal cortical bone thinning in primary biliary cirrhosis. The addition of CG prevents bone thinning, and HA promotes positive cortical bone balance.