Abstract
Biphosphonates are now being used experimentally in children to increase bone mass, but their long-term effects remain an issue of concern. We report two cases of biphosphonate-induced radiographic changes in children with rheumatic diseases. Our experience supports the view that clinical improvement and radiographic findings after biphosphonate therapy are related to increased bone mineral density, without effects on the inflammatory process itself. Biphosphonates seem to act in rheumatic diseases by reducing bone turnover instead of improving disease activity.
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Authors are indebted to Marcus Vinicius Ramos, MD, Fabio Marinho do Rego Barros, MD and Zacchari Mateev for their help in manuscript review.
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Fernandes, J.L., Viana, S.L., Rocha, A.L. et al. Biphosphonate-induced radiographic changes in two pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. Skeletal Radiol 33, 732–736 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-004-0804-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-004-0804-8