Elcatonin is effective for lower back pain and the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in elderly osteoporotic patients with kyphosis

Aim:  Elderly osteoporotic patients with kyphosis tend to be frequently accompanied by the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) such as heartburn and acid reflux. Elcatonin, which is effective for lower back pain of osteoporosis, has a physiological action of reducing gastric acid. We examine whether or not this drug would alleviate GERD symptoms as well as lower back pain in patients with osteoporosis. Methods:  Elcatonin was administrated at a dose of 20 units once weekly for 3 months. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) were used to evaluate lower back pain and GERD symptoms, respectively. Results:  Both VAS and FSSG scores significantly decreased after 1, 2 and 3 months of elcatonin administration (at least P < 0.001). Even after the cessation of elcatonin, both scores remained significantly low for an extra 1 and 3 months, respectively. These beneficial effects were also observed in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or GERD drug users. Conclusion:  The present findings suggest that elcatonin could improve the symptoms of GERD as well as osteoporosis-invoked back pain in elderly patients with kyphosis, and that these effects are long-lasting and independent of NSAID or GERD drugs. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 215–220.