OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of raloxifene and calcium which were used for osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women on lipid profile. MATERIALS-METHODS: Sixty- one postmenopausal women who referred to our outpatient clinic were included into the study, between January and September 2005. Raloxifene and elementary calcium were given to the women of group 1 (n= 30) and group 2 (n= 31) for three months at the dose of 60 mg/ day and 500 mg/day, respectively. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein a levels were measured at the beginning and at the 3rd month of the treatment. The results were statistically analysed using SPSS 9.0 programme. RESULTS: Age, menopause duration, BMI, lipid profiles did not show any significant difference between two groups at the study entry (p> 0.05). Raloxifene did not make any significant change on lipid profiles after three months. A statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and an increase in triglyceride levels in calcium group were detected at the end of the study (p CONCLUSION: Positive effects on lipid profile of calcium which is usually preferred as adjuvant therapy in osteoporosis prophylaxis and treatment, may be effective in prevention for cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. Large trials are needed to clarify to these effect of calcium.
Keywords: calcium, lipid profile, postmenopausal osteoporosis, raloxifene