A one-sample t test was also used to measure changes in BMD and T-score. Differences in sex ratios between the two groups were compared using the chi-square test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 12.0; SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Unless otherwise stated, a p value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results Group A comprised 22 patients who received 18 months of teriparatide therapy for new-onset adjacent VCFs after PMMA vertebroplasty. Lonafarnib The comparison group (group B) included 22 patients who received

antiresorptive agents for at least 18 months. All 44 patients received vitamin D and calcium supplementation. Table 1 summarizes the comparison of clinical data between the two groups. There was no significant difference in male-to-female ratio, body mass index, injected volume of PMMA, steroid use, current smoking, alcohol drinking, Sapitinib or FHPI purchase Rheumatic arthritis between the two groups. The mean age of the patients in group A (75.59 ± 6.28) was significantly older than that of the patients in group B (70.55 ± 4.10, p = 0.002). The number of pre-existing VCFs was significantly higher in group A (3.01 ± 0.87) than in group B (2.17 ± 0.66, p = 0.004).

The baseline BMD was 0.5796 ± 0.0816 g/cm2 in group A and 0.6245 ± 0.1026 g/cm2 in group B (p = 0.056). The vertebral body reduction ratio in group A was 48.68% ± 11.94%, while in group B, it was 49.82% ± 12.19% (p = 0.756). Table 1 Comparison of clinical data between groups A and B   Group A Group B p value Age (years) 75.95 ± 6.28 70.55 ± 4.10 0.002* Gender (F/M) 20:2 20:2 1.000 BMI 23.16 ± 3.43 25.34 ± 4.35 0.367 Pre-existing fracture 3.01 ± 0.87 2.17 ± 0.66 0.004* VB reduction ratio (%) 48.68 ± 11.94 49.82 ± 12.19

check 0.756 PMMA amount (ml) 4.64 ± 1.32 4.68 ± 1.37 0.572 Baseline BMD (T-score) 0.5796 ± 0.0816 0.6245 ± 0.1026 0.056 (−3.76 ± 0.71) (−3.45 ± 0.73) 0.073 Baseline JOA score 9.95 ± 4.02 11.59 ± 3.46 0.115 Baseline VAS score 8.27 ± 1.16 8.13 ± 0.95 0.888 Steroid use 5 4 0.446 Current smoking 5 5 1.000 Alcohol 6 5 0.716 Rheumatic arthritis 2 2 1.000 Follow-up period (months) 25.05 ± 3.42 24.63 ± 3.48 0.517 *p < 0.05 Teriparatide (20 μg) was subcutaneously injected once daily, and oral calcium and vitamin D supplements were given for at least 18 months to the 22 patients in group A. Two patients experienced mild leg muscle spasms or cramps after injection of teriparatide. The symptoms subsided within 5 days in one patient and within 14 days in the other. The mean VAS score at baseline was 8.27 ± 1.16 (range, 6–10) (Fig. 2). After 1 month of treatment, the mean VAS score was 4.23 ± 0.97. The mean VAS score decreased to 2.23 ± 0.61 after 6 months, 1.20 ± 0.96 after 12 months, and 1.18 ± 0.80 (range, 0–3) after 18 months of teriparatide treatment (p = 0.001, all the differences between baseline and 6 months, 6 months and 12 months, and 12 months and 18 months were significant).