Effect of alendronate therapy in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of orally administered alendronate in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

METHODS:

Thirty children (16 girls and 14 boys; mean age at baseline 10.7 +/- 6.0 years; range 4-16 years) with osteogenesis imperfecta type I (n = 22), III (n = 2), or IV (n = 6) were treated with alendronate (5 mg/day in patients aged 4-10 years and 10 mg/day in children >10 years of age) for 3 years.

RESULTS:

After 1 year of alendronate therapy we observed a significant increase in areal and volumetric bone mineral density Z-scores (from -2.03 +/- 1.51 to -1.04 +/- 1.20, and from -1.91 +/- 1.38 to -1.33 +/- 1.30, respectively, P < 0.001), together with a significant drop in fracture rate (from 3.77 +/- 1.57 to 0.13 +/- 0.57, P < 0.000001), relief of chronic pain (from 3.83 +/- 1.44 days of pain/week to 0.73 +/- 0.77, P < 0.000001) and improvement in ambulation/mobility (P < 0.00002). After additional 2 years of therapy there were no further significant changes in these parameters, however the improvement was still remarkable in comparison to the pretreatment values (P < 0.003, P < 0.004, P < 0.000001, P < 0.000001 and P < 0.00001, respectively). A significant drop in markers of bone turnover (urinary deoxypyridinoline and serum osteocalcin) occurred after 3 years of therapy (P < 0.003 and 0.004, respectively). No adverse reactions were observed throughout the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Alendronate has positively influenced quality of life in paediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. Bisphosphonate therapy should be used only in the context of a well-defined protocol.

• Authors: Václav Vyskocil, Richard Pikner, Stepán Kutílek
• Journal: Joint bone spine (Joint Bone Spine) Vol. 72 Issue 5 Pg. 416-23 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 1297-319X [Print] France
• PMID: 16214075 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bone Density Conservation Agents
• Alendronate

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Alendronate (administration & dosage)
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Bone Density Conservation Agents (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome