Additive effect of elcatonin to risedronate for chronic back pain and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial

45 postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of osteoporosis and chronic back pain were randomized to receive either combined therapy of risedronate and elcatonin, or risedronate therapy alone. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was an additive effect of elcatonin to risedronate therapy with respect to pain and quality of life outcomes over 6 months. Results demonstrated no between-group differences in outcome on either the Roland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ) for low back pain, or the Japanese Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JOQOL). There was also no significant between-group differences in domains of the Short Form 36-Item General Health Survey (SF-36).