title: Comparison of alendronate and pamidronate on bone loss in kidney transplant patients for the first 6 months of transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis develops and progresses in a considerable number of kidney transplant patients. Bisphosphonates, which are used for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, may accentuate gasterointestinal complications and lead to more nonadherence to treatment. This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of pamidronate versus alendronate on early bone mineral density changes in kidney transplant patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients (27 men and 13 women), aged from 20 to 58 years, with low bone mineral density (T score < -2) in the spine, total hip, or femur neck were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive pamidronate or alendronate. The pamidronate group received intravenous pamidronate, 90 mg, starting from the 3rd week of transplantation for 3 months. The alendronate group started to receive oral alendronate, 70 mg per week for the same period. At baseline and 6 months, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Gastrointestinal side effects were monitored every month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found in bone density changes of the lumber area between the two groups; however, significantly less reduction in bone mineral density of the femur neck and femur occurred in the pamidronate group. Kidney function and parathyroid hormone levels were similar in the two groups before and after the study. Gastrointestinal side effects were seen in 3 patients of the alendronate group only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pamidronate was comparable to alendronate in prevention of early bone loss after kidney transplantation.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Bita
authors: B
authors: Omidvar
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Ghorbani
authors: Heshmatollah
authors: H
authors: Shahbazian
authors: Seyed Seifollah
authors: SS
authors: Beladi Mousavi
authors: Seyed Javad
authors: SJ
authors: Shariat Nabavi
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Alasti
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015519:Bone Density; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077268:Pamidronate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate; D019386:Alendronate