Osteoporosis after kidney transplantation: preliminary report from a single center

One of the major adverse effects of kidney transplantation is osteoporosis, which is mainly related to steroid use. Only limited data are available on calcitonin therapy for posttransplantation osteoporosis.

From March 2007 to August 2007, 67 kidney recipients agreed to enter this study. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar (L) spine and left femoral neck. We prescribed calcitonin nasal spray to osteoporosis patients (DEXA T < -2.5 SD) who agreed with the treatment. A second and a third DEXA were performed at 3-month subsequent intervals later to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

The incidence of osteoporosis in our kidney recipients was 46.26% (31/67 patients). Osteopenia accounted for 38.81% (26/67 patients) and only 14.93% (10/67 patients) were normal. Calcitonin inhalation seemed to improve the BMD with 61% showing improvement on the second DEXA study in our preliminary data.

Our preliminary data suggested that calcitonin may help to restore bone mass in kidney recipients with osteoporosis. Steroid elimination may prevent the onset of osteoporosis and might even enhance calcitonin efficacy. In the future we need a longer study period to confirm the results and compare it with the outcomes of bisphosphonates therapy.