The efficacy of alendronate in wheelchair-bound patients: a 1-year prospective study

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2009 May;18(3):157-62. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0b013e32832b0790.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to establish the efficacy of 1-year alendronate treatment in 10 wheelchair-bound participants. In the study were included participants with z-score lower than -2.0 in one of three skeletal sites. Bone status was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at calcaneus and forearm and using quantitative ultrasound at hand phalanges at baseline and after a year. Laboratory variables included serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and bone alkaline phosphatase. Mean values of bone measurements did not differ between baseline and follow-up, the mean value of ICTP nonsignificantly increased and bone alkaline phosphatase significantly dropped (P<0.01). No patient treated revealed the increase in three bone densitometric variables and only one showed a decrease in ICTP exceeding 40% of baseline value. Concluding, in wheelchair-bound participants short-term alendronate therapy does not reduce bone resorption and does not improve the skeletal status.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adult
  • Alendronate / therapeutic use*
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Resorption / blood
  • Bone Resorption / drug therapy*
  • Bone Resorption / etiology
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I / blood
  • Disabled Persons*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immobilization*
  • Male
  • Peptides / blood
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wheelchairs
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Collagen Type I
  • Peptides
  • collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Alendronate