Fluoride/Calcium in Osteoporosis
Document Type
Letter
Publication Date
8-12-1982
Description
To the Editor: We would like to comment on why we believe that a number of the patients of Riggs et al.1 did not respond to their therapy (February 25 issue). Using double tetracycline-labeling techniques, we have found that a substantial number of patients with axial osteopenia have osteomalacia, as defined by the presence of wide osteoid seams (over 10 μm) and reduced tetracycline uptake, rather than osteoporosis.2 Since Riggs et al. did not perform bone biopsies before therapy, a large number of the patients may not have responded to the treatment because they were being treated for the wrong.
Citation Information
Miller, Paul D.; Huffer, William A.; Krebs, Richard A.; Neal, Billy J.; Mcintyre, Donald O.; Morris, Alton J.; Hogg, David; Fisher, Arthur H.; Johannesson, Ari; Mangini, Richard J.; Cohen, Phin; Riggs, B. Lawrence; Hodgson, Stephen F.; and O'fallon, William M.. 1982. Fluoride/Calcium in Osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine. Vol.307(7). 441-443. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198208123070715 PMID: 7088121 ISSN: 0028-4793