Effectiveness of Weekly Teriparatide Injection in Postmenopausal Patients with Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND: Teriparatide is an effective anabolic agent used in the treatment of severe osteoporosis. In addition, it is also used to promote fracture healing. The purpose of this double-blind randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the influence of weekly teriparatide administration on bone formation in hip fracture patients. METHODS: The control group (n = 41) was composed of patients treated with normal saline other than teriparatide, and the teriparatide group (n = 51) consisted of patients who received weekly teriparatide. Bone turnover markers, C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) and osteocalcin (OC), were assessed through blood tests at the initial hospital visit and 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed 5 days postoperatively and at 1-year postoperative follow-up. The degree of fracture union was evaluated by comparing the radiographic union scoring system for hips using Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH) scores between the two groups at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Evaluation of the rate of change in bone mineral density over 1 year showed that the lumber bone mineral density increased by more than 7% in the experimental group. The control group did not show a difference between the CTx and OC at 6 months, but the difference between the CTx and OC values was large at 6 months in the experimental group. The mean RUSH score was significantly different between the control group and the experimental group: 12.105 and 15.476, respectively (p = 0.004), at 3 months and 18.571 and 22.389, respectively, at 6 months (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly use of teriparatide improved fracture healing, bone formation, and clinical outcomes at 1 year after hip fracture surgery by the anabolic window effect.