Comparison of the effect of alendronate and pamidronate on bone density of patients with osteoporosis

For the treatment of osteoporosis, bisphosphonates are commonly used as oral or injectable compounds. This study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of oral alendronate with injectable pamidronate on bone density changes in patients with osteoporosis. The present study was a semi-experimental based on available evidence that was performed on patients with osteoporosis referred to Vali-e-asr Hospital in Birjand during the years 2013 to 2016. In addition, this intervention is a standard intervention that is routinely done. Patients in two groups treated for one year, in one group, they received oral alendronate and in the other group received injectable Pamidronate. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D was also performed in both groups. Dexamethasone densitometry (DEXA) was measured with a Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic) device in the United States in both groups before and after treatment. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, t-paired and independent t-test at a significant level of (p≤0.05). Between all densitometric parameters of the spine, an only Z-score was improved after treatment with pamidronate or alendronate. The Densitometric parameters of the hip were improved in pamidronate group only. There was no statistical difference in the mean and frequency of changes in bone density indexes in the vertebrae and the hip after treatment compared to before, in both groups treated with alendronate or pamidronate. The prescription of alendronate or pamidronate for one year can improve the Z-score of the sealed bone density, while the Z-score of hip bone density only improves in the treatment of pamidronate group. None of the two prescriptions had a particular advantage in changing the bone density index in the vertebrae, but pamidronate has better effect on the hip.