Antiresorptive treatment and quality of life in postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a common chronic metabolic disease characterized by decreased bone mass density, impaired bone quality and increased susceptibility to fractures. The aim of the treatment of osteoporosis is not only to prevent hip and vertebral fractures, but also to improve quality of life. Quality of life is a multifactorial variable, reflecting physical, social and psychological wellbeing. According to studies, which met evidence-based medicine criteria estrogens, bisphospohonates, raloxifene and calcitonin were accepted for the treatment of osteoporosis. In the PROOF study and further post-hoc analysis salmon nasal calcitonin was showed to be effective and safe in the prevention of vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Due to other pharmacological properties of calcitonin, especially analgesic and antiphlogistic effects it breaks the vicious circle in osteoporotic patients including bone pain associated with vertebral fractures, reduced mobility, increased bone resorption and further fractures.