Comparison of Calcitonin and Pamidronate Treatments in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to compare the treatments of calcitonin and pamidronate by clinical, biochemical, and radiological findings in children with osteogenesis imperfecta and evaluate the efficiency of pamidronate treatment. Patients and methods: A total of 12 patients, aged 41±38 (1-120) months were studied. Group 1 was consisted of six patients who had received intranasal calcitonin at a dosage of 4-6 U/kg three times a week before switching to pamidronate treatment. Group 2 was also consisted of six patients who had received only pamidronate infusion at a dosage of 0.5-2 mg/kg every two months. Results: Annual fracture rates decreased from 2.72 ± 0.80 to 0.40 ± 0.70 (p0.05), and from -3.08 ± -0.61 to -2.29 ± -0.56 in pamidronate group. The difference between the Z-scores of bone mineral density after calcitonin and pamidronate treatments was statistically significant (p<0.05). The Z-scores of pre (-3.44 ± -0.96) and post (-2.47 ± -0.60) pamidronate treatments of whole 12 patients were significantly different (p<0.001). Conclusion: Pamidronate was significantly more effective in reducing pain, annual fracture rate, and increasing bone mineral density and mobility than calcitonin without any severe adverse effects even in the neonatal period and severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(4.000): 667-674]

Keywords

• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• calcitonin
• pamidronate
• children