TREATMENT OF BONE-DISEASE WITH DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LONG-TERM HEMODIALYSIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 117  (7) , 766-768
Abstract
Nine of 24 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis had evidence of moderate to severe bone disease. Two had bone pain and muscle weakness and 2 had pseudofractures. Eight of the 9 were treated with dihydrotachysterol (DHT), 0.25-0.375 mg/day initially, but 4 required doses between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/day. The serum alkaline phosphatase value decreased in all patients and returned to normal in 6. The bone pain and muscle weakness resolved and the pseudofractures healed. Bone biopsies in 6 patients before and after initiation of treatment with DHT showed that the osteoid area decreased significantly from 29.6 .+-. 22.8% (mean .+-. SD) to 11.5 .+-. 7.5% (P < 0.025) and the resorptive surface decreased in all patients. DHT in doses of up to 1.0 mg/day apparently is effective in treating both the osteitis fibrosa and the osteomalacic components of bone disease in patients undergoing hemodialysis.