A prospective and randomized trial of zoledronic acid to prevent bone loss in the first year after kidney transplantation

Abstract

For the treatment of osteoporosis in the general population, a number of drugs reduce BMD (bone mineral density) loss and the rate of incident fractures. For instance, bisphosphonates improve BMD, reduce hip fracture rates and decrease mortality in post-menopausal women. Because of lack of data on safety and an increased risk of adverse effects, the use of these drugs is controversial in patients with CKD and abnormalities of PTH or vitamin D, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 30 ml/min/1.73m² (stages 4 and 5) and after transplantation. The efficacy of short and long term bisphosphonate treatment after kidney transplantation has been examined; however, histomorphometric and fracture rate reduction data are lacking. (AU)