Preventive effects of raloxifene treatment on agerelated weight loss in postmenopausal women

Decline of body weight and body mass index (BMI) with aging is a major risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture, suggesting that treatment for osteoporosis may affect body composition. However, the effects of treatment for osteoporosis on body composition are not well known. The present study aimed to identify the relationship between raloxifene treatment and body composition markers. We measured bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and bone remodeling markers in 236 Japanese postmenopausal women with raloxifene treatment (N = 50) and without treatment by any osteoporosis drug (N = 186) for 5 years and analyzed the relationship of these with BMD, BMI, body weight, and biochemical markers. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 65.5 (9.3) years. Percent-changes in body weight and BMI were significantly different between women taking raloxifene and those not taking any osteoporosis drugs (P = 0.03 and 0.048, respectively). Raloxifene treatment was a significant independent determinant of body weight and BMI. Long-term treatment with raloxifene prevents age-related weight loss.