Bisphosphonate therapy for patients with osteogenesis imperfecta in different age groups: A comparative study

Background Bisphosphonates are currently a promising therapy and are commonly used for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). This study was performed to assess the outcome of bisphosphonates as a symptomatic treatment of OI. Patients and method A prospective observational study on 16 patients, who had been referred to the pediatric orthopedic clinic at our hospital. All patients were treated and followed up from November 2015 to November 2017. All cases were moderate forms of the disease (types I and IV). The age at the start of treatment was 3–17 years. There were six females and 10 males. The mean age was 6.5 years. Result All patients showed improved pain, and activities of daily living during treatment, and this improvement sustained during the 2 years’ follow-up. There was a decrease in the number of fractures per year in all patients by up to 50%. All children became pain-free during treatment; no patient needed analgesics, except in cases of fracture. No side effects were seen during the period of treatment. Conclusion The overall positive results and absence of adverse effects may be sufficient to recommend the use of this treatment for all children with OI who have severe and moderate forms. So early treatment with bisphosphonates may prevent and decrease skeletal deformity.