Objective:

To assess the related changes in postmenopausal osteopenic and osteoporotic women after receiving raloxifene for a period of 12 months.

Material and Methods:

We examined the changes in various parameters (bone mineral density, serum cholesterol concentrations, endometrial thickness and mammography) attributable to raloxifene in 274 postmenopausal patients with low bone mineral density who had consulted our hospital’s menopause clinic. 234 subjects were assigned to the raloxifene group, 40 to the control group.

Results:

While the baseline levels of lumbar spine and femur neck mineral densities were similar for both groups, at the end of the 12th month both these levels increased only at the raloxifene group . Serum concentrations of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols showed a significant decrease in the raloxifene group, whereas serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides did not change. Endometrial thickness was similar in both groups at the beginning but there was a significant reduction in the thickness of the raloxifene group at the 12th month. There was no change in the breast density of the raloxifene group, whereas in the control group breast density increased in many subjects. Although hot flashes were seen more in the raloxifene group, all other adverse events were similar in both groups.

Conclusion:

Daily therapy with 60mg raloxifene increases bone mineral density, lowers serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, does not stimulate the endometrium and does not influence breast density.

Keywords: Raloxifene hydrocholoride, bone mineral density, serum cholesterol concentrations, endometrial thickness, breast density