Oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis in adult males with intellectual disabilities.

Abstract

Oral bisphosphonates are first-line agents for treating osteoporosis in men, but there are no studies regarding efficacy of oral bisphosphonates for treatment of osteoporosis in ambulatory male adults with intellectual disability. Nine adult males with intellectual disability and increased fracture risk had been treated with weekly or monthly oral bisphosphonates, vitamin D and calcium for 1-3years. Post-treatment bone mineral density (BMD), serum 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone and C-telopeptide of type I collagen were then determined for the first time. Weekly or monthly oral bisphosphonates were well tolerated and led to significant increases in BMD in all 9 individuals. Serum 25(OH)D level enhanced the "pecent increase of BMD" that occurred in response to bisphosphonate treatment (p<.05). Weekly or monthly oral bisphosphonates are well tolerated by ambulatory adult males with ID and are effective in increasing BMD. Higher serum levels of vitamin D appear to improve the efficacy of bisphosphonates and therefore reduce fracture risk in adult males with intellectual disability.