# SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF FLUORIDE THERAPY IN OSTEOPOROSIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · HENRY FORD HOSPITAL · 1989 · $153,091

## Abstract

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial has been designed that will test
the efficacy and safety of fluoride therapy in the prevention of further
vertebral compression fractures in white postmenopausal females (the
segment of the population at greatest risk) who have already sustained at
least one vertebral fracture as a result of osteoporosis.  The trial will
also determine prospectively the fracture incidence of the population at
risk prior to the initiation of fluoride therapy.  We shall attempt to
determine those indices of skeletal homeostasis that might predict the
long-term response to fluoride therapy either before therapy is initiated
or within the first three to six months after starting therapy.  The effect
of fluoride therapy on the morbidity from vertebral compression fractures
will also be determined.  We shall directly compare four methods of
detecting vertebral fractures (serial measurement of vertical height,
clinical episodes of acute back pain, measurements of vertebral body
dimensions on standard radiographs of the spine in the lateral projection,
and bone scan) to determine which is the most sensitive, safe and cost
effective method of accurately detecting new fractures.  We shall obtain
demographic data relating to the risk factors for the development of
osteoporosis in patients who already have the disease, patients who
specifically present for an evaluation of their risk of developing the
disease, and from a control population.  This data will include a
measurement of peripheral bone mineral density.  From the historical and
densitometric data we shall develop an "osteoporosis risk score" which will
be suitable for prospective analysis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155689
- **Project number:** 5R01AR028583-09
- **Recipient organization:** HENRY FORD HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael KLEEREKOPER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $153,091
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-08-01 → 1990-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155689

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155689, SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF FLUORIDE THERAPY IN OSTEOPOROSIS (5R01AR028583-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155689. Licensed CC0.

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