Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective Despite the well-known benefits of calcitriol and bisphosphonates in managing osteoporosis, limited research has explored the combined therapeutic effects of these agents on bone metabolism, immune function, and clinical outcomes in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. This study...

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Main Authors: Xu Zhou, Hui Long, Jui-Hua Wang, Zhen Huang, Liping Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05714-2
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author Xu Zhou
Hui Long
Jui-Hua Wang
Zhen Huang
Liping Cao
author_facet Xu Zhou
Hui Long
Jui-Hua Wang
Zhen Huang
Liping Cao
author_sort Xu Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Despite the well-known benefits of calcitriol and bisphosphonates in managing osteoporosis, limited research has explored the combined therapeutic effects of these agents on bone metabolism, immune function, and clinical outcomes in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of calcitriol combined with bisphosphonates in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis through a retrospective cohort analysis. Methods A total of 152 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients treated at our hospital from March 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the treatment received. The control group received calcitriol alone, while the study group received calcitriol combined with bisphosphonates. Treatment outcomes were assessed by comparing Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain, Barthel Index for daily living ability, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for dysfunction before and after treatment. Bone metabolism markers (BALP, BGP, PINP, TRACP), immune cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-10), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. The incidence of adverse reactions was also recorded. Results The total effective rate in the study group was 96.05%, significantly higher than 84.21% in the control group (P < 0.05). Post-treatment VAS and ODI scores decreased significantly in both groups, with greater improvement in the study group (P < 0.05). Barthel Index scores increased more in the study group (P < 0.05). Bone metabolism markers (BALP, BGP, PINP, TRACP) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β1, TNF-α) decreased more significantly in the study group, while IL-10 levels and BMD increased more markedly (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the study group (2.63%) than in the control group (5.26%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The combination of calcitriol and bisphosphonates demonstrates superior clinical efficacy and safety in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, effectively reducing pain and disability, enhancing bone metabolism and immune function, and improving bone mineral density and daily living ability.
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spelling doaj-art-b3459e4808ff4b298c05f90f8bbc73a22025-08-20T02:28:10ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-04-0120111010.1186/s13018-025-05714-2Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort studyXu Zhou0Hui Long1Jui-Hua Wang2Zhen Huang3Liping Cao4Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNational Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityHunan Yueya Dental ClinicChangsha Chang Hao HospitalNational Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityAbstract Objective Despite the well-known benefits of calcitriol and bisphosphonates in managing osteoporosis, limited research has explored the combined therapeutic effects of these agents on bone metabolism, immune function, and clinical outcomes in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of calcitriol combined with bisphosphonates in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis through a retrospective cohort analysis. Methods A total of 152 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients treated at our hospital from March 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the treatment received. The control group received calcitriol alone, while the study group received calcitriol combined with bisphosphonates. Treatment outcomes were assessed by comparing Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain, Barthel Index for daily living ability, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for dysfunction before and after treatment. Bone metabolism markers (BALP, BGP, PINP, TRACP), immune cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-10), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. The incidence of adverse reactions was also recorded. Results The total effective rate in the study group was 96.05%, significantly higher than 84.21% in the control group (P < 0.05). Post-treatment VAS and ODI scores decreased significantly in both groups, with greater improvement in the study group (P < 0.05). Barthel Index scores increased more in the study group (P < 0.05). Bone metabolism markers (BALP, BGP, PINP, TRACP) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β1, TNF-α) decreased more significantly in the study group, while IL-10 levels and BMD increased more markedly (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the study group (2.63%) than in the control group (5.26%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The combination of calcitriol and bisphosphonates demonstrates superior clinical efficacy and safety in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, effectively reducing pain and disability, enhancing bone metabolism and immune function, and improving bone mineral density and daily living ability.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05714-2CalcitriolBisphosphonatesPostmenopausal OPClinical efficacySafety evaluationRetrospective study
spellingShingle Xu Zhou
Hui Long
Jui-Hua Wang
Zhen Huang
Liping Cao
Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Calcitriol
Bisphosphonates
Postmenopausal OP
Clinical efficacy
Safety evaluation
Retrospective study
title Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
title_full Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
title_fullStr Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
title_short Clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study
title_sort clinical outcomes and safety of combined calcitriol and bisphosphonates in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis a retrospective cohort study
topic Calcitriol
Bisphosphonates
Postmenopausal OP
Clinical efficacy
Safety evaluation
Retrospective study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05714-2
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