[Secondary osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates as a possible strategy for the prevention of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis].

Recent studies demonstrated that osteoclastic bone resorption played an important role in joint destruction by rheumatoid synovium. Bisphosphnates inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and have been widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, such as zolendronic acid (ZA) inhibited bone destruction in animal models of inflammatory arthritis, although the drug was not effective for the suppression of inflammation. In early RA patients, ZA was effective to prevent bone destruction in combination with methotrexate. Targeting osteoclasts with bisphosphonates is an effective strategy to maintain joint integrity when combined with anti-rheumatic therapy.