Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Rheumatic Diseases: Alendronate Versus Alfacalcidol.

Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Rheumatic Diseases: Alendronate Versus Alfacalcidol.

Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases. The STOP-Study: a Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial With Alendronate Versus Alfacalcidol.

The purpose of this study is to determine wich treatment is the most effective in prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients with rheumatic diseases. The STOP-study: a randomized placebo controlled trial with alendronate versus alfacalcidol.

Treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) is associated with bone loss initiated already early in therapy, causing increased (vertebral) fracture risk. Bone loss is caused by inhibition of bone formation by GCs. Active vitamin D analogues like alfacalcidol directly stimulate osteoblasts leading to an increase in bone formation. Bisphosphonates like alendronate induce apoptosis of osteoclasts leading to inhibition of bone resorption. We performed a randomized, double-placebo, double-blind clinical trial of 18 months duration in patients with a rheumatic disease, starting GCs in a dosage of 7.5 mg prednisone equivalent daily or higher. Two hundred one patients were allocated to receive either alendronate 10 mg and alfacalcidol-placebo daily or alfacalcidol 1 microgram and alendronate-placebo daily. Primary outcome was change in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine in 18 months, secondary outcome incidence of (symptomatic) morphometric vertebral deformities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Giant Cell Arteritis, Polymyositis, Wegener's Granulomatosis

glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, rheumatic diseases, prevention, randomized double-blind, double placebo controlled trial, alendronate versus alfacalcidol

Percent change in bone mineral density of the femoral neck and total hip at 18 months and incidence of morphometrical vertebral deformities, symptomatic vertebral fractures and non-vertebral fractures.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with a rheumatic disease. Starting treatment with glucocorticoids in a dosage of 7.5 mg prednisone equivalent daily or higher. All ethnic groups and races. Exclusion Criteria: Glucocorticoid treatment in the past 12 months (except for 12 weeks preceding the study) Primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism in last year Metabolic bone disease Creatinine clearance of < 50 ml/min Documented hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis in the last 5 years Pregnancy or lactation Treatment in the last 12 months with hormone-replacement therapy Anabolic steroids, calcitonin, active vitamin D3 analogues, fluoride or bisphosphonates.

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de Nijs RN, Jacobs JW, Lems WF, Laan RF, Algra A, Huisman AM, Buskens E, de Laet CE, Oostveen AC, Geusens PP, Bruyn GA, Dijkmans BA, Bijlsma JW; STOP Investigators. Alendronate or alfacalcidol in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. N Engl J Med. 2006 Aug 17;355(7):675-84. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa053569.

de Nijs RN, Jacobs JW, Lems WF, Laan RF, Algra A, Huisman AM, Buskens E, de Laet CE, Oostveen JC, Geusens PP, Bruyn GA, Dijkmans BA, Bijlsmat JW. [Alendronate more effective than alfacalcidol in the prevention of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatic disease who are starting glucocorticoid therapy]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2007 May 26;151(21):1178-85. Dutch.

Jacobs JW, de Nijs RN, Lems WF, Geusens PP, Laan RF, Huisman AM, Algra A, Buskens E, Hofbauer LC, Oostveen AC, Bruyn GA, Dijkmans BA, Bijlsma JW. Prevention of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis with alendronate or alfacalcidol: relations of change in bone mineral density, bone markers, and calcium homeostasis. J Rheumatol. 2007 May;34(5):1051-7. Epub 2007 Apr 1.