BACKGROUND: Adynamic bone disease (ABD) is caused by a relative or absolute parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency. Teriparatide (PTH1-34) is an osteoanabolic agent in clinical use. Here, it was hypothesized that treatment with teriparatide improves bone mineral density (BMD) of ABD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven hemodialysis patients with ABD and a median iPTH level of 22 pg/ml were evaluated in this open-label, prospective, 6-month observational pilot-study. All patients received 20 μg teriparatide/day subcutaneously. Serologic bone markers, BMD and coronary artery calcification (CAC) were measured at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: Teriparatide therapy led to a significant increase in lumbar spine (0.885 ± 0.08 vs. 0.914 ± 0.09 g/cm(2), p < 0.02), but not femoral neck (0.666 ± 0.170 vs. 0.710 ± 0.189 g/cm(2), p = 0.18) BMD. Compared to pretreatment values, calculated monthly changes in BMD improved significantly in both the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p < 0.02). Changes in serologic markers of bone turnover and CAC scores were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Teriparatide therapy might improve low BMD in hemodialysis patients with ABD. Further clinical studies are needed to establish teriparatide as a therapeutic option for dialysis patients with ABD.
BACKGROUND:Adynamic bone disease (ABD) is caused by a relative or absolute parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency. Teriparatide (PTH1-34) is an osteoanabolic agent in clinical use. Here, it was hypothesized that treatment with teriparatide improves bone mineral density (BMD) of ABD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven hemodialysis patients with ABD and a median iPTH level of 22 pg/ml were evaluated in this open-label, prospective, 6-month observational pilot-study. All patients received 20 μg teriparatide/day subcutaneously. Serologic bone markers, BMD and coronary artery calcification (CAC) were measured at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS:Teriparatide therapy led to a significant increase in lumbar spine (0.885 ± 0.08 vs. 0.914 ± 0.09 g/cm(2), p < 0.02), but not femoral neck (0.666 ± 0.170 vs. 0.710 ± 0.189 g/cm(2), p = 0.18) BMD. Compared to pretreatment values, calculated monthly changes in BMD improved significantly in both the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p < 0.02). Changes in serologic markers of bone turnover and CAC scores were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:Teriparatide therapy might improve low BMD in hemodialysis patients with ABD. Further clinical studies are needed to establish teriparatide as a therapeutic option for dialysis patients with ABD.