title: Transplantation osteoporosis and corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in autoimmune diseases: experience with alfacalcidol.
abstract: The effect of alfacalcidol therapy on bone mineral density at the spine and proximal femur was evaluated in 112 transplant recipients (59 heart, 26 liver and 27 lung); 45 transplant cases served as controls (included in a randomised way in a placebo group) and in 42 rheumatoid arthritis cases. Liver and lung transplantation cases had before transplantation a lower bone density at the spine and femur compared to heart transplant cases. Heart transplant cases lost considerably more bone immediately after transplantation than liver and lung transplant recipients. A positive effect of 2 years alfacalcidol treatment (0.5-1 microgram/day) on bone loss was observed in all treated groups. Alfacalcidol was particularly effective against trabecular bone loss at the spine in rheumatoid arthritis patients and transplant recipients. There is a manifest difference in evolution between organ transplant groups and bone sites measured. Liver and lung transplant recipients respond better to therapy than cardiac recipients.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis and Metabolic Bone Disease Research Unit, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven, Pellenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dequeker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borghs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Cleemput
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nevens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verleden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nijs
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; C008088:alfacalcidol