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Glossary.

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Alendronate (Fosamax[R]): A bisphosphonate approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; accumulates and persists in the bone. Studies indicate about a 50 percent reduction in vertebral and hip fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

Bone mineral density (BMD): A risk factor for fractures. By DXA, BMD is expressed as the amount of mineralized tissue in the area scanned (g/[cm.sup.2]); with some technologies, BMD is expressed as the amount per volume of bone (g/[cm.sup.3]). Hip BMD by DXA is considered the best predictor of hip fracture; it appears to predict other types of fractures as well as measurements made at other skeletal sites. Spine BMD may be preferable to assess changes early in menopause and after bilateral ovariectomy.

Calcitonin (Miacalcin[R] or Fortical[R]): A polypeptide hormone that inhibits the resorptive activity of osteoclasts.

Calcitriol: A synthetic form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin [D.sub.3], a hormone that aids calcium absorption and mineralization of the skeleton. Its effectiveness as a treatment for osteoporosis is still uncertain.

Calcium: A mineral that plays an essential role in development and maintenance of a healthy skeleton. If intake is inadequate, calcium is mobilized from the skeleton to maintain a normal blood calcium level. In addition to being a substrate for bone mineralization, calcium has an inhibitory effect on bone remodeling...

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