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Clinical trial: comparison of alendronate and alfacalcidol in glucocorticoid-associated osteoporosis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Author(s): Kitazaki S, Mitsuyama K, Masuda J, Harada K, Yamasaki H, Kuwaki K, Takedatsu H, Sugiyama G, Tsuruta O, Sata M

Affiliation(s): Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.

Publication date & source: 2009-02-15, Aliment Pharmacol Ther., 29(4):424-30. Epub 2008 Nov 25.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Bone loss is often observed in patients with ulcerative colitis, particularly if they require glucocorticoids. AIM: To determine whether the bisphosphonate, alendronate, is safe and effective in preserving bone mass compared to the active vitamin D3, alfacalcidol, in ulcerative colitis patients receiving glucocorticoids. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with ulcerative colitis and treated with glucocorticoids were randomized to receive alendronate (5 mg/day) or alfacalcidol (1 microg/day) daily for 12 months. Loss of bone mass was evaluated by bone mineral density, bone resorption by urinary N-telopeptide for type I collagen, and bone formation by serum bone alkaline phosphatase. RESULTS: Alendronate, but not alfacalcidol, significantly increased bone mineral density in the lumbar spine. Alendronate decreased serum bone alkaline phosphatase levels, but alfacalcidol did not. Urinary N-telopeptide for type I collagen levels decreased in both groups, but were significantly lower in the alendronate group. There were no significant differences in the adverse events in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that alendronate is a safe, well-tolerated and more effective therapy than alfacalcidol for preventing glucocorticoid-associated bone loss in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Page last updated: 2009-10-20

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