SYNTHETIC VITAMIN D MAY REDUCE FRACTURES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992                   TAG: 9202060087
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short
SYNTHETIC VITAMIN D MAY REDUCE FRACTURES
A synthetic form of vitamin D appears to significantly reduce the risk of fractures in older women with brittle bones, according to a study.
The researchers said their work suggests that the treatment, called calcitriol, "is an important therapeutic option" for women with thinning bones after menopause.
However, this approach is controversial. Some earlier studies concluded that calcitriol does not work.
The latest study was directed by Dr. Murray W. Tilyard of the University of Otago in New Zealand and published in today's New England Journal of Medicine.
- Associated Press

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB