Objective: to compare in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia the effect of hydrochlorate of raloxifene versus hormone replacement therapy on the mammary density.
Method: a double blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 57 postmenopausal women older than 55 years with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Participants were randomly allocated in two groups: the intervention group (IG) received hydrochlorate of raloxifene and the control group (CG) received hormone replacement therapy during 6 months. A mammography to evaluate the change of the mammary density, according to the BIRADS criteria, was made before and after the treatment.
Results: twenty-eight patients received hormone replacement therapy and 29 hydrochlorate of raloxifene. Eight (28.5 %) patients of the IG and one (3.0 %) of the CG showed an increased mammary density; whereas in none of IG patients and in four (13.7%) of the CG, the mammary density decreased (p = 0.01).
Conclusions: the hydrochlorate of raloxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia does not increase the mammary density.