Article

Only sparse evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of oral
alendronate (ALN) in the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients
with spinal cord injury (SCI).
The objective of this study is to investigate the
protective effect of oral ALN intake on the appearance of HO in patients with
SCI. Study design Retrospective database review. Setting A Spinal Cord Unit at a
Rehabilitation Hospital. Participants Two hundred and ninety-nine patients with
SCI during acute inpatient rehabilitation. Interventions Administration of oral
ALN. Outcome measures The incidence of HO during rehabilitation was compared
between patients with SCI receiving oral ALN (n = 125) and patients with SCI not
receiving oral ALN (n = 174). The association between HO and/or ALN intake with
HO risk factors and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were also explored.
Results HO developed in 19 male patients (6.35%), however there was no
significant difference in the incidence of HO in patients receiving oral ALN or
not. The mean odds ratio of not developing versus developing HO given ALN
exposure was 0.8. Significant correlation was found between abnormal serum
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and HO appearance (P < 0.001) as well as normal
serum ALP and ALN intake (P < 0.05). Conclusion Even though there was no direct
prevention of HO in patients with SCI by oral ALN intake, abnormal serum ALP was
found more frequently in patients with HO development and without oral ALN
intake. This evidence could suggest that ALN may play a role in preventing HO,
especially in patients with acute SCI with increasing levels of serum ALP.

Langue : ANGLAIS