Prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in immunobullous diseases with alendronate: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Archives of dermatology (1960) Vol. 148; no. 3; p. 307
• Main Authors: Tee, Shang-Ian, Yosipovitch, Gil, Chan, Yuin Chew, Chua, Sze Hon, Koh, Ee Tzun, Chan, Yiong Huak, Tan, Susanna Soo See, Tsou, Ian Yu Yan, Tan, Suat Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2012
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Alendronate - adverse effects; Alendronate - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone Density Conservation Agents - adverse effects; Bone Density Conservation Agents - therapeutic use; Calcium - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita - drug therapy; Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita - immunology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis - chemically induced; Osteoporosis - prevention & control; Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane - drug therapy; Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane - immunology; Pemphigoid, Bullous - drug therapy; Pemphigoid, Bullous - immunology; Pemphigus - drug therapy; Pemphigus - immunology; Prednisolone - adverse effects; Prednisolone - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Singapore; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous - drug therapy; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous - immunology; Vitamin D - therapeutic use; Singapore
• ISSN: 1538-3652
• DOI: 10.1001/archdermatol.2011.354

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral alendronate sodium therapy once daily in preventing glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in patients with immunobullous skin diseases treated with long-term glucocorticoid therapy.
A 12-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
A tertiary referral dermatology center in Singapore.
Patients newly diagnosed as having an immunobullous disease and deemed to require at least 6 months of systemic glucocorticoid therapy.
The patients were randomized to receive either oral alendronate sodium (10 mg/d) or a matching placebo for 12 months. All patients also received concurrent calcium with vitamin D, 2 tablets daily.
Percent change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck at 12 months.
A total of 29 patients (alendronate [n = 15], placebo [n = 14]) were evaluated. The percent change in BMD in the alendronate group was +3.7% and +3.5% at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, respectively, whereas in the placebo group, it was -1.4% and -0.7% at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, respectively. The increase in BMD observed in the alendronate group compared with the placebo group was statistically significant at both the lumbar spine (P = .01) and the femoral neck (P = .01). There was also a statistically significant decrease in serum heat-labile alkaline phosphatase levels after 12 months (-32.6%, P < .01) in the alendronate group but not in the placebo group. Adverse events were generally minor, and the frequency of occurrence did not differ significantly between both treatment groups (P = .59).
There were statistically significant increases in BMD at both the lumbar spine (P = .01) and the femoral neck (P = .01) with alendronate therapy. It is imperative to use bisphophonate therapy in patients with immunobullous disorders who are receiving oral corticosteroids because it largely prevents the morbidity associated with low BMD.