The biphosphonate alendrolate is more effective than active vitamin D, alfacalcidol, in combatting prednison induced bone loss. This conclude UMC Utrecht rheumatologists Ron de Nijs, Hans Jacobs and Hans Bijlsma in the august 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Fractures due to glucocorticoids induced osteoporosis are a major problem in patients with rheumatic diseases. In the study participated 201 rheumatological patients. During 18 months they received a daily dose of prednison, together with either alendrolate (inhibits bone loss) or alphacalcidol (increases bone formation). The alendrolate users turned out having a 2,1 percent increase in bone density, while the alphacalcidol group suffered a 1,9 percent decrease.
The results surprised the researchers. Theoretically stimulating bone formation should be more efficient than inhibiting bone loss. When couteracting the effects of prednison, inhibiting bone loss pays off better, it turns out.
The article can be found
here.
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