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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2016Osteogenesis imperfecta is caused by a genetic defect resulting in an abnormal type I collagen bone matrix which typically results in multiple fractures with little or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Osteogenesis imperfecta is caused by a genetic defect resulting in an abnormal type I collagen bone matrix which typically results in multiple fractures with little or no trauma. Bisphosphonates are used in an attempt to increase bone mineral density and reduce these fractures in people with osteogenesis imperfecta. This is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates in increasing bone mineral density, reducing fractures and improving clinical function in people with osteogenesis imperfecta.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of journals and conference proceedings. We additionally searched PubMed and major conference proceedings.Date of the most recent search of the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Inborn Errors of Metabolism Register: 28 April 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing bisphosphonates to placebo, no treatment, or comparator interventions in all types of osteogenesis imperfecta.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included trials.
MAIN RESULTS
Fourteen trials (819 participants) were included. Overall, the trials were mainly at a low risk of bias, although selective reporting was an issue in several of the trials. Data for oral bisphosphonates versus placebo could not be aggregated; a statistically significant difference favouring oral bisphosphonates in fracture risk reduction and number of fractures was noted in two trials. No differences were reported in the remaining three trials which commented on fracture incidence. Five trials reported data for spine bone mineral density; all found statistically significant increased lumbar spine density z scores for at least one time point studied. For intravenous bisphosphonates versus placebo, aggregated data from two trials showed no statistically significant difference for the number of participants with at least one fracture, risk ratio 0.56 (95% confidence interval 0.30 to 1.06). In the remaining trial no statistically significant difference was noted in fracture incidence. For spine bone mineral density, no statistically significant difference was noted in the aggregated data from two trials, mean difference 9.96 (95% confidence interval -2.51 to 22.43). In the remaining trial a statistically significant difference in mean per cent change in spine bone mineral density z score favoured intravenous bisphosphonates at six and 12 months. Data describing growth, bone pain, and functional outcomes after oral or intravenous bisphosphonate therapy, or both, as compared to placebo were incomplete among all studies, but do not show consistent improvements in these outcomes. Two studies compared different doses of bisphosphonates. No differences were found between doses when bone mineral density, fractures, and height or length z score were assessed. One trial compared oral versus intravenous bisphosphonates and found no differences in primary outcomes. Two studies compared the intravenous bisphosphonates zoledronic acid and pamidronate. There were no significant differences in primary outcome. However, the studies were at odds as to the relative benefit of zoledronic acid over pamidronate for lumbosacral bone mineral density at 12 months.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Bisphophonates are commonly prescribed to individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta. Current evidence, albeit limited, demonstrates oral or intravenous bisphosphonates increase bone mineral density in children and adults with this condition. These were not shown to be different in their ability to increase bone mineral density. It is unclear whether oral or intravenous bisphosphonate treatment consistently decreases fractures, though multiple studies report this independently and no studies report an increased fracture rate with treatment. The studies included here do not show bisphosphonates conclusively improve clinical status (reduce pain; improve growth and functional mobility) in people with osteogenesis imperfecta. Given their current widespread and expected continued use, the optimal method, duration of therapy and long-term safety of bisphosphonate therapy require further investigation. In addition, attention should be given to long-term fracture reduction and improvement in quality of life indicators.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Bone Density; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Diphosphonates; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 27760454
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005088.pub4 -
Minerva Dental and Oral Science Feb 2021The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the possible risk factors related to pathophysiology of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ)...
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the possible risk factors related to pathophysiology of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and identify adequate treatment strategies available and success rates.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We performed a search for publications about the treatment of BRONJ, published between 2003 and 2018 in the PubMed/Medline data base using the key words: "Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw" OR "Bisphosphonate Osteonecrosis" OR "BRONJ", based on the list of MeSH and DeCS.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
According to pre-established criteria for data collection concerning the treatment of BRONJ, we found 19 articles covering a total of 400 patients. Treatments that showed good outcomes were Ozone, PRF, PRP/Debridement/Laser bio-stimulation, Laser surgery and Laser surgery/Laser bio-stimulation. HBO did not achieve good results and was used in only 10 patients. BRONJ is a rare condition in patients with osteoporosis/other pathologies using BP orally. These patients had long exposure time and cumulative doses of BPs until onset of the lesion. The oncological patients were exposed to more potent intravenously administered BPs such as pamidronate and zoledronate. These patients had a shorter exposure time until onset of the lesion.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of BRONJ is still under debate and there are promising treatments that need randomized trials with larger numbers of patients to confirm their results. Patients receiving BPs or those who will start treatment should be encouraged to perform preventive dental treatment and maintain good oral hygiene.
Topics: Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw; Diphosphonates; Humans; Osteonecrosis; Osteoporosis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32960522
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6329.20.04306-X -
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. Part B May 2024Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited clinically heterogeneous disorder of bone metabolism characterized by bone and skeletal fragility and an increased risk of...
Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited clinically heterogeneous disorder of bone metabolism characterized by bone and skeletal fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Pamidronate infusion was the standard treatment, but zoledronic acid is increasingly used to treat children with osteogenesis imperfecta. We conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous zoledronic acid in the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta in pediatric patients. A systematic review of the published literature was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible articles were clinical trials and observational studies including pediatric patients (<16 years) with osteogenesis imperfecta treated with zoledronic acid. We selected articles published during the 20 past years. The selected languages were English and French. We included articles with a minimum sample size of five patients. Six articles fulfilled the selection criteria. The majority of patients were Chinese (58%). The predominant sex was male (65%), and the age of included patients ranged from 2.5 weeks to 16.8 years. For all patients, zoledronic infusions were administrated intravenously. The zoledronic treatment duration ranged from 1 to 3 years. Densitometry parameters before and after zoledronic treatment were evaluated and showed significant improvement both in lumbar spine-bone mineral density Z -score and femoral neck-bone mineral density Z -scores. A significant decrease in fracture rate has also been noted both in vertebral and nonvertebral fracture incidence. The two most common side effects were fever and flu-like reactions. None of the patients presented severe adverse events. Zoledronic acid appeared to be well-tolerated and effective in the treatment of pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta.
Topics: Humans; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Zoledronic Acid; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Child; Treatment Outcome; Child, Preschool; Infant; Adolescent; Male; Infusions, Intravenous; Diphosphonates; Bone Density; Administration, Intravenous; Female
PubMed: 37339526
DOI: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000001104 -
Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal... Dec 2022Bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab (DENOS), due to their ability to inhibit osteoclast activity, are used to prevent skeletal complications in multiple myeloma (MM)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab (DENOS), due to their ability to inhibit osteoclast activity, are used to prevent skeletal complications in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, were systematically searched for interventional studies, assessing the use of BP and DENOS in MM patients. Overall survival, disease progression, skeletal-related events, bone pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and renal toxicity were the outcomes of interest. A total of 993 studies were retrieved and 43 were used for qualitative synthesis. Clodronate (CLOD) and zoledronic acid (ZOL) were effective in reducing skeletal complications compared to placebo. Results are mixed regarding the efficacy of pamidronate in reducing skeletal related events. ONJ rates were higher for ZOL, but under 5%, with CLOD having the safest profile. DENOS demonstrated non-inferiority to ZOL, in improving overall survival [pooled Hazard Ratio(HR) 1.02(95% CI 0.72,1.44)], progression free survival [pooled HR 0.92(95% CI 0.76,1.11)] and in reducing skeletal related events [pooled HR 1.03(95% CI 0.92,1.16)], with similar rates of ONJ and better safety profile regarding renal toxicity. Denosumab has comparable efficacy and safety with ZOL and may even replace BPs in the future, in the management of myeloma bone disease.
Topics: Humans; Diphosphonates; Multiple Myeloma; Denosumab; Zoledronic Acid; Clodronic Acid
PubMed: 36458395
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Endocrinology Mar 2021Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be triggered by intravenous bisphosphonates (IVBPs) such as zoledronic acid or pamidronic acid. Our objective was to confirm the association...
OBJECTIVE
Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be triggered by intravenous bisphosphonates (IVBPs) such as zoledronic acid or pamidronic acid. Our objective was to confirm the association between AF and IVBPs in a real-life large pharmacovigilance database.
DESIGN
A systematic analysis of VigiBase, the World Health Organization's pharmacovigilance database.
METHODS
Analysis of adverse events reported as 'atrial fibrillation' (according to the Medical Dictionary for Drug Regulatory Activities) associated with the use of zoledronic acid or pamidronic acid, in VigiBase, the World Health Organization's global Individual Case Safety Report (ICSR) database. All ICSRs reporting AF associated with zoledronic acid or pamidronic acid were included in a disproportionality analysis determining the lower end of the 95% credibility interval for the information component (IC025), showing a statistical association when >0.
RESULTS
530 ICSRs reporting on the association between AF and IVBPs were extracted. Bayesian disproportionality analysis detected a significant association between AF and use of zoledronic acid (IC025 = 1.83) and pamidronic acid (IC025 = 2.16). Further analysis of these ICSRs determined that AF was severe in 85.0% of cases and with a mortality of 17.7%. The risk of severe AF was increased (OR: 2.98 (95% CI: 1.17-7.57), P = 0.02) following zoledronic acid vs pamidronic acid, after adjustment for age and gender.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first VigiBase pharmacoepidemiological study confirming the association between IVBPs and AF. Most AF were severe, with a high frequency of lethal outcome. The risk of severe AF was increased following zoledronic acid use compared to pamidronic acid, advocating for a cautious use of IVBPs.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atrial Fibrillation; Databases, Factual; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Europe; Female; Humans; Male; North America; Pamidronate; Pharmacoepidemiology; Pharmacovigilance; World Health Organization; Zoledronic Acid
PubMed: 33449911
DOI: 10.1530/EJE-20-0650 -
Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic... Dec 2023Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare skeletal disorder in which normal bone is replaced by a fibro-osseous tissue, resulting in possible deformities and fractures. The aim... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare skeletal disorder in which normal bone is replaced by a fibro-osseous tissue, resulting in possible deformities and fractures. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the available evidence on the use of antiresorptive drugs in FD in terms of changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs), bone mineral density (BMD), and reducing pain. Three databases were searched in October 2022, with an update in July 2023. Of the 1037 studies identified, 21 were retained after eligibility assessment. A random-effects model was used to calculate global effect size and the corresponding standard error. Pamidronate and Denosumab were the most reported drugs in a total of 374 patients assessed. The initiation of treatments was accompanied by an average reduction of 40.5% [CI -51.6, -29.3] in the bone resorption parameters, and 22.0% [CI -31.9, -12.1] in the parameters of bone formation after 6-12 months. BMD was increased in both FD lesions and in the unaffected skeleton. Pain was reduced by 32.7% [CI -52.7, -12.6] after 6-12 months of treatment, and by 44.5% [CI -65.3, -23.6] after a mean 41.2 months of follow-up. The variation in pain was highly correlated to variation in bone resorption (R = 0.08, p < 0.0001) and formation parameters (R = 0.17, p < 0.0001). This study supports the overall efficacy of antiresorptive therapies in terms of reducing bone remodeling, improving bone density, and pain in FD.
Topics: Humans; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic; Diphosphonates; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone; Bone Resorption; Pain
PubMed: 37632645
DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09832-2 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence May 2011The lifetime risk of fracture in white women is 20% for the spine, 15% for the wrist, and 18% for the hip, with an exponential increase in risk beyond the age of 50... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The lifetime risk of fracture in white women is 20% for the spine, 15% for the wrist, and 18% for the hip, with an exponential increase in risk beyond the age of 50 years.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of bisphosphonates to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women? What are the effects of pharmacological treatments other than bisphosphonates to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women? What are the effects of non-pharmacological treatments to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to September 2010 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 71 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: alendronate, calcitonin, calcium, calcium plus vitamin D, clodronate, denosumab, etidronate, exercise, hip protectors, hormone replacement therapy, ibandronate, multifactorial non-pharmacological interventions, pamidronate, parathyroid hormone, raloxifene, risedronate, strontium ranelate, vitamin D, vitamin D analogues, and zoledronate.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Alendronate; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium, Dietary; Etidronic Acid; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Incidence; Postmenopause; Raloxifene Hydrochloride
PubMed: 21542947
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2023Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility. In people with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility. In people with beta-thalassaemia, osteoporosis represents an important cause of morbidity and is due to a number of factors. First, ineffective erythropoiesis causes bone marrow expansion, leading to reduced trabecular bone tissue with cortical thinning. Second, excessive iron loading causes endocrine dysfunction, leading to increased bone turnover. Lastly, disease complications can result in physical inactivity, with a subsequent reduction in optimal bone mineralization. Treatments for osteoporosis in people with beta-thalassaemia include bisphosphonates (e.g. clodronate, pamidronate, alendronate; with or without hormone replacement therapy (HRT)), calcitonin, calcium, zinc supplementation, hydroxyurea, and HRT alone (for preventing hypogonadism). Denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, inhibits bone resorption and increases bone mineral density (BMD). Finally, strontium ranelate simultaneously promotes bone formation and inhibits bone resorption, thus contributing to a net gain in BMD, increased bone strength, and reduced fracture risk. This is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review.
OBJECTIVES
To review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of treatment for osteoporosis in people with beta-thalassaemia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register, which includes references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also searched online trial registries. Date of most recent search: 4 August 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in people with beta-thalassaemia with: a BMD Z score below -2 standard deviations (SDs) for children aged under 15 years, adult males (aged 15 to 50 years) and premenopausal females aged over 15 years; or a BMD T score below -2.5 SDs for postmenopausal females and males aged over 50 years.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors assessed the eligibility and risk of bias of the included RCTs, and extracted and analysed data. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
We included six RCTs (298 participants). Active interventions included bisphosphonates (3 trials, 169 participants), zinc supplementation (1 trial, 42 participants), denosumab (1 trial, 63 participants), and strontium ranelate (1 trial, 24 participants). The certainty of the evidence ranged from moderate to very low and was downgraded mainly due to concerns surrounding imprecision (low participant numbers), but also risk of bias issues related to randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. Bisphosphonates versus placebo or no treatment Two RCTs compared bisphosphonates to placebo or no treatment. After two years, one trial (25 participants) found that alendronate and clodronate may increase BMD Z score compared to placebo at the femoral neck (mean difference (MD) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 0.58) and the lumbar spine (MD 0.14, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.23). One trial (118 participants) reported that neridronate compared to no treatment may increase BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip at six and 12 months; for the femoral neck, the study found increased BMD in the neridronate group at 12 months only. All results were of very low-certainty. There were no major adverse effects of treatment. Participants in the neridronate group reported less back pain; we considered this representative of improved quality of life (QoL), though the certainty of the evidence was very low. One participant in the neridronate trial (116 participants) sustained multiple fractures as a result of a traffic accident. No trials reported BMD at the wrist or mobility. Different doses of bisphosphonate compared One 12-month trial (26 participants) assessed different doses of pamidronate (60 mg versus 30 mg) and found a difference in BMD Z score favouring the 60 mg dose at the lumbar spine (MD 0.43, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.76) and forearm (MD 0.87, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.51), but no difference at the femoral neck (very low-certainty evidence). This trial did not report fracture incidence, mobility, QoL, or adverse effects of treatment. Zinc versus placebo One trial (42 participants) showed zinc supplementation probably increased BMD Z score compared to placebo at the lumbar spine after 12 months (MD 0.15, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.20; 37 participants) and 18 months (MD 0.34, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.40; 32 participants); the same was true for BMD at the hip after 12 months (MD 0.15, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.19; 37 participants) and 18 months (MD 0.26, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.31; 32 participants). The evidence for these results was of moderate certainty. The trial did not report BMD at the wrist, fracture incidence, mobility, QoL, or adverse effects of treatment. Denosumab versus placebo Based on one trial (63 participants), we are unsure about the effect of denosumab on BMD Z score at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and wrist joint after 12 months compared to placebo (low-certainty evidence). This trial did not report fracture incidence, mobility, QoL, or adverse effects of treatment, but the investigators reported a reduction in bone pain measured on a visual analogue scale in the denosumab group after 12 months of treatment compared to placebo (MD -2.40 cm, 95% CI -3.80 to -1.00). Strontium ranelate One trial (24 participants) only narratively reported an increase in BMD Z score at the lumbar spine in the intervention group and no corresponding change in the control group (very low-certainty evidence). This trial also found a reduction in back pain measured on a visual analogue scale after 24 months in the strontium ranelate group compared to the placebo group (MD -0.70 cm (95% CI -1.30 to -0.10); we considered this measure representative of improved quality of life.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Bisphosphonates may increase BMD at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and forearm compared to placebo after two years' therapy. Zinc supplementation probably increases BMD at the lumbar spine and hip after 12 months. Denosumab may make little or no difference to BMD, and we are uncertain about the effect of strontium on BMD. We recommend further long-term RCTs on different bisphosphonates and zinc supplementation therapies in people with beta-thalassaemia-associated osteoporosis.
Topics: Adult; Child; Female; Male; Humans; Middle Aged; beta-Thalassemia; Alendronate; Pamidronate; Clodronic Acid; Denosumab; Osteoporosis; Diphosphonates; Fractures, Bone
PubMed: 37159055
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010429.pub3 -
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research :... Nov 2023Bisphosphonates are first-line treatments for several bone and mineral disorders. Studies have reported an increased incidence of serious atrial fibrillation in patients... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Bisphosphonates are first-line treatments for several bone and mineral disorders. Studies have reported an increased incidence of serious atrial fibrillation in patients receiving bisphosphonates; however, uncertainty remains as to whether electrical disturbances are precipitated by bisphosphonates. We aimed to review the literature for studies reporting electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonates for any indication. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception until January 14, 2023, for studies reporting ECG parameters after intravenous bisphosphonate infusion. We excluded studies that only reported atrial fibrillation. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Continuous data were meta-analyzed if reported in at least two studies. Random-effects models were fitted and reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We found 1083 unique records, of which 11 met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies had a low to low/moderate risk of bias. Six prospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. Five studies used zoledronic acid, whereas one study used pamidronate. Most studies (n = 4) were conducted in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, one study was conducted in patients with bone metastases, and one study in children with osteoporosis secondary to cerebral palsy. Study populations ranged from n = 15 to n = 116. Heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) was significantly longer post-infusion (SMD = 0.46 ms [95% CI 0.80 to 0.11]; n = 67 patients, k = 2 studies, τ = 0). There were no differences in heart rate, P wave (maximum), P wave (minimum), P wave dispersion, PR interval, QRS duration, QTc, QTc (maximum), QTc (minimum), and QTc dispersion. The correlation between pre- and post-infusion QTc was not significant (p = 0.93). Overall, there is a weak association between intravenous bisphosphonate infusion and a QTc interval prolongation. However, there is insufficient evidence to support an association between intravenous bisphosphonate and any ECG variable changes, which may precipitate atrial fibrillation. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Diphosphonates; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Prospective Studies; Osteoporosis; Electrocardiography; Minerals
PubMed: 37681243
DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4911 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2016Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis represents an important cause of morbidity in people with beta-thalassaemia and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Factors include bone marrow expansion due to ineffective erythropoiesis, resulting in reduced trabecular bone tissue with cortical thinning; endocrine dysfunction secondary to excessive iron loading, leading to increased bone turnover; and lastly, a predisposition to physical inactivity due to disease complications with a subsequent reduction in optimal bone mineralization.A number of therapeutic strategies have been applied to treat osteoporosis in people with beta-thalassaemia, which include bisphosphonates, with or without, hormone replacement therapy. There are various forms of bisphosphonates, such as clodronate, pamidronate, alendronate and zoledronic acid. Other treatments include calcitonin, calcium, zinc supplementation, hydroxyurea and hormone replacement therapy for preventing hypogonadism.
OBJECTIVES
To review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of treatment for osteoporosis in people with beta-thalassaemia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of most recent search: 04 February 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised, placebo-controlled trials in people with thalassaemia with a bone mineral density z score of less than -2 standard deviations for: children less than 15 years old; adult males (15 to 50 years old); and all pre-menopausal females above 15 years and a bone mineral density t score of less than -2.5 standard deviations for post-menopausal females and males above 50 years old.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors assessed the eligibility and risk of bias of the included trials, extracted and analysed data and completed the review. We summarised results using risk ratios or rate ratios for dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data. We combined trial results where appropriate.
MAIN RESULTS
Four trials (with 211 participants) were included; three trials investigated the effect of bisphosphonate therapies and one trial investigated the effect of zinc supplementation. Only one trial was judged to be of good quality (low risk of bias); the remaining trials had a high or unclear risk of bias in at least one key domain.One trial (data not available for analysis) assessing the effect of neridronate (118 participants) reported significant increases in favour of the bisphosphonate group for bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip at both six and 12 months. For the femoral neck, a significant difference was noted at 12 months only. A further trial (25 participants) assessed the effect of alendronate and clodronate and found that after two years, bone mineral density increased significantly in the alendronate and clodronate groups as compared to placebo at the lumbar spine, mean difference 0.14 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.22) and at the femoral neck, mean difference 0.40 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.57). One 12-month trial (26 participants) assessed the effects of different doses of pamidronate (30 mg versus 60 mg) and found a significant difference in bone mineral density in favour of the 60 mg dose at the lumbar spine and forearm, mean difference 0.43 g/cm(2) (95% CI 0.10 to 0.76), mean difference 0.87 g/cm(2) (95% CI 0.23 to 1.51), respectively, but not at the femoral neck.In a zinc sulphate supplementation trial (42 participants), bone mineral density increased significantly compared to placebo at the lumbar spine after 12 months (37 participants), mean difference 0.15 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.20) and after 18 months (32 participants), mean difference 0.34 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.40). The same was true for bone mineral density at the hip after 12 months, mean difference 0.15 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.11 to 0.19) and after 18 months, mean difference 0.26 g/cm(2) (95% confidence interval 0.21 to 0.31).Fractures were not observed in one trial and not reported in three trials. There were no major adverse effects reported in two of the bisphosphonate trials; in the neridronate trial there was a reduction noted in the use of analgesic drugs and in the reported back pain score in favour of bisphosphonate treatment. Adverse effects were not reported in the trial of different doses of pamidronate or the zinc supplementation trial.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence to indicate an increase in bone mineral density at the femoral neck, lumbar spine and forearm after administration of bisphosphonates and at the lumbar spine and hip after zinc sulphate supplementation. The authors recommend that further long-term randomised control trials on different bisphosphonates and zinc supplementation therapies in people with beta-thalassaemia and osteoporosis are undertaken.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alendronate; Bone Density; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Child; Clodronic Acid; Diphosphonates; Female; Femur Neck; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Zinc Sulfate; beta-Thalassemia
PubMed: 26964506
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010429.pub2