Alberto Martín Siguero1, Vera Lucía Áreas Del Águila2, María Teresa Franco Sereno3, Ana Isabel Fernández Marchante4, Raúl Pérez Serrano5, Carmen Encinas Barrios6. 1. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. amsiguero@sescam.jccm.es. 2. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. areas.vera@gmail.com. 3. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. mtfranco@sescam.jccm.es. 4. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. anaisafer86@hotmail.com. 5. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. rpserrano@sescam.jccm.es. 6. Pharmacy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real (Ciudad Real), Spain.. cencinas@sescam.org.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to describe the efficacy and safety of the off-label use of alendronate in the treatment of osteoporosis in children and adolescents. METHOD: a retrospective study (2008-2014) of all patients under 18 years who were dispensed alendronate for this indication. The criteria for initiating treatment were: bone mineral density with a Z-score ≤ -2.5 SD, a past history of bone fractures without a previous traumatism, and persistent pain. The variables collected were: demographic, treatment-related, clinical. and safety data. The treatment was considered to be effective when there was an increase in bone mineral density up to a Z-score > -2.5 SD. RESULTS: a total of 12 patients, 8 of them male, with a mean age of 11 years (± 3 SD), were treated with alendronate. After a mean time of treatment of 2.15 years (± 1.2 SD), there was an increase in bone mineral density in all patients, 9 of which achieved a Z-score > -2.5 SD, so the drug was considered effective in 75% of cases. No patient had bone fractures or expressed adverse effects during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: alendronate increased bone mineral density and was well tolerated in all patients, therefore it could be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of osteoporosis in children. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.
OBJECTIVES: to describe the efficacy and safety of the off-label use of alendronate in the treatment of osteoporosis in children and adolescents. METHOD: a retrospective study (2008-2014) of all patients under 18 years who were dispensed alendronate for this indication. The criteria for initiating treatment were: bone mineral density with a Z-score ≤ -2.5 SD, a past history of bone fractures without a previous traumatism, and persistent pain. The variables collected were: demographic, treatment-related, clinical. and safety data. The treatment was considered to be effective when there was an increase in bone mineral density up to a Z-score > -2.5 SD. RESULTS: a total of 12 patients, 8 of them male, with a mean age of 11 years (± 3 SD), were treated with alendronate. After a mean time of treatment of 2.15 years (± 1.2 SD), there was an increase in bone mineral density in all patients, 9 of which achieved a Z-score > -2.5 SD, so the drug was considered effective in 75% of cases. No patient had bone fractures or expressed adverse effects during treatment. CONCLUSIONS:alendronate increased bone mineral density and was well tolerated in all patients, therefore it could be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of osteoporosis in children. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.