OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Busheng Huoxue Capsule (BHC) on the quality of life (QOL) in senile male osteoporosis (OP) patients, and to explore its mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 200 senile primary OP patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digit table method, 100 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took BHC plus caltrate-D (600 mg CaCO3), while those in the control group took alendronate (70 mg per week) plus caltrate-D. The therapeutic course was 12 months for all. Chinese medical symptom score and quality of life (QUALEFFO-41) score, bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and left femoral neck were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Serum free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were also measured.

RESULTSChinese medical symptom scores and QUALEFFO-41 scores, serum FT and E2 levels increased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The therapeutic effect was superior in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After treatment the BMD of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and the left femoral neck were somewhat improved (P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBHC could effectively improve the QOL of senile male OP patients, which might be correlated with elevating the BMD levels and regulating the levels of sex hormones.