[Bone mineral density in patients with multiple sclerosis: the effects of interferon].
BACKGROUND
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at greater risk of suffering from osteoporosis and pathological fractures, and the use of corticoids together with immobilisation and vitamin D deficiency is one of the causes of low bone mass (BM). AIMS. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of interferon, a drug that has only recently been introduced in the treatment of the disease, on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone remodelling markers.


METHODS
A total of 30 females and 18 males with MS were studied. A standardised case history report was examined, and determinations of ionic calcium, vitamin D, osteocalcin, iPTH and urinary deoxypyridinoline, together with calcaneus densimetry measurements using a DEXA densimeter were also performed.


RESULTS
The females treated with interferon had a BMD similar to that of those who had only received corticoids. Yet the males treated with interferon had a BMD that was lower than that of those who had not been treated with this drug (0.484 0.104 g/cm2 compared to 0.631 0.143 g/cm2, p= 0.032) and the control group (0.484 0.104 g/cm2 compared to 0.581 0.102 g/cm2, p= 0.015). No differences were found in the bone remodelling parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Males treated with interferon present a decrease in BM, and results are paradoxical because interferon plays a part in regulating bone metabolism and inhibits the development of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption.
Pérez Castrillón
J L
JL
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universario Río Hortega, Valladolid, España. castrv@terra.es
Cano-del Pozo
M
M
Sanz-Izquierdo
S
S
Velayos-Jiménez
J
J
Dib-Wobakin
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000652:urine; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000596:Amino Acids; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015220:Calcium Channels; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014807:Vitamin D; D016899:Interferon-beta; C036020:deoxypyridinoline