Abstract

Calcitonin, which prevents bone loss by inhibitory action on bone resorption, has been introduced in therapeutics for osteoporosis. While may studies revealed its analgesic effect on lumbago. whether or not calcitonin is capable of improving osteoporosis still remains to be investigated. The efficacy of calcitonin on lumbago and osteoporosis was evaluated with randomized double-blind. placebo controlled method in 56 patients with osteoporosis, who suffered lumbago. 10 unit elcatonin or placebo (lml saline) was injected intramuscularly, two times a week for 4 weeks. The patients were interviewed for evaluation of low back pain before treatment, 2weeks, 4weeks, 8weeks and 12weeks after beginning treatment. Also bone mass was measured with single photon absorptiometry, before and 12weeks after beginning treatment.