[Therapeutic effect of zoledronic acid on primary osteoporosis in elderly patients].

Objective: To observe the effect of zoledronic acid on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic markers in elderly patients with primary osteoporosis.
Methods: Forty-eight elderly patients with osteoporosis were randomly assigned to zoledronic acid group (n=23) to receive treatment with 5 mg zoledronic acid once a year and the control group (n=25). In both groups, the patients were given Vitamin D3 and caltrate on a daily basis for a year. The bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic markers were observed after the treatment.
Results: Compared with the control group, zoledronic acid group had significantly higher L1-4, neck, Inter and Ward's BMD (P<0.05) with reduced B-NTX (P<0.05). The N-MID and CT showed no significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Zoledronic acid administration once a year can increase BMD and lower the serum bone turnover metabolism, and can be used in the treatment of primary osteoporosis in elderly patients.