These interim data were reported by Bruce Ettinger, M.D., senior investigator, division of research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, at the annual meeting of the European Congress on Osteoporosis in Berlin, Germany. The results from this interim analysis provide further support that Evista protects a woman's bones and may address other health concerns important after menopause. Women in the MORE study were on average 66 and one-half years old upon entry into the trial and have osteoporosis. If a woman's bone mass deteriorates to the point where she has one fracture, she has a very high risk for sustaining another fracture. By intervening, we can prevent the progression of the osteoporotic condition and multiple fractures that lead to pain, chronic disability and deformity.
Spinal fractures are the most common osteoporosis-related fracture.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women older than 50 years of age will suffer a spinal fracture. Interim results from ongoing Evista osteoporosis prevention studies involving 601 healthy women aged 45-60 were also presented at the meeting. These data showed that Evista maintained favourable effects on BMD at the spine, hip and total body and lowered total and LDL or bad cholesterol levels without stimulating uterine tissue after three years of follow-up. The ongoing MORE osteoporosis treatment study, which began in 1994, was also designed to evaluate the effects of Evista therapy on a number of secondary endpoints, including cardiovascular events, cognitive function, quality of life, lipid metabolism and the incidence of breast and endometrial cancer. With Evista, there is no vaginal bleeding and no breast tenderness, which may result in women continuing therapy over the longer term.