title: Use of weekly alendronate to treat osteoporosis in boys with muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Three boys with muscular dystrophy with known osteoporosis were each treated for 1 yr with weekly alendronate and daily calcium and vitamin D. Measurements of lumbar spine and proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were obtained at the initiation of the alendronate, at 6 mos, and at 1 yr. All three boys demonstrated increases in bone mineral density, with z scores improving from baseline to 1-yr follow-up. Improvements were observed at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and greater trochanter. In this small case series, weekly oral alendronate for 1 yr plus daily vitamin D and calcium was effective in improving bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado 80218, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apkon
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coll
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium; D002648:Child; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium; D019386:Alendronate