Zoledronic acid ameliorates the effects of secondary osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Secondary osteoporosis may occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), causing irreversible joint damage and disability. Bisphosphonates, the recently developed bone resorption inhibitors, have demonstrated significant therapeutic effects on senile and postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid (ZOL), with or without methotrexate (MTX), for the prevention and treatment of bone destruction in RA patients. METHODS:We recruited 66 RA patients with symptoms of secondary osteoporosis. They were randomized into three treatment groups-combined treatment with MTX and ZOL, ZOL monotherapy, or MTX monotherapy-in two consecutive 6-month periods. The participants were followed for 12 months. At the end of each treatment period, improve

SUBMITTER: Xie J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6902494 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature