Evaluation of Alendronate Efficacy on Bone Mineral Density in Thalassemic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder, affecting around 200 million people worldwide. The etiology of this bone disease is multifactorial. Seemingly, in the setting of increased bone turnover which manifests by increased bone resorption and remodeling; bone density decreases. In this research, thalassaemia patients with osteoporosis were placed on oral alendronate therapy for one year and their pre-and post-study bone mineral densitometry were compared.
Method: Thalassaemia patients, comprising the major and intermedia types, in the range of 20 to 50 years old were included in the study. They were admitted to three different centers: Tehran Center of Thalassaemia, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization and the Rheumatology Clinic of Rasool Akram(s) Hospital. First of all, osteoporotic patients diagnosed on the basis of densitometry were placed on oral regimen of 10mg of alendronate daily. After a year, their densitometries were repeated and compared for the changes in BMD(g/cm2) and T-score. Also, patient’s serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured at the beginning and the end of the year and the results were compared.
Results: Ninety-six of 120 patients who underwent first and second bone density measurements showed an increase in BMD and T-score at the end of the study. BMD increased in patients who used their drugs regularly, while no increased BMD was found in patients who used drugs irregularly or essentially did not use any drug.
Conclusion:, we concluded that bisphosphonates like alendronate are highly effective at improving bone density of neck of femur and vertebral bones without having dangerous side effects. So, early diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of osteoporosis in this group of patients are highly recommended.