Evidence Hub

Interventions for preventing bone disease in kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

S. Palmer, G. Strippoli, D. O. Mcgregor

American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2005

1,209 participants · 95 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Before renal transplantation complex abnormalities of bone metabolism exist and lead to increased risk for fracture after transplantation. This study was conducted to assess the evidence available to guide targeted treatment to reduce bone disease in transplant recipients.

METHODS: The Cochrane CENTRAL Registry, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched for randomized trials of interventions for bone disease after renal transplantation. Data were extracted on fracture, bone mineral density (BMD) by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, acute graft rejection, and adverse events. Analysis was performed with a random-effects model, and all results are expressed as relative risk with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: Twenty-three eligible trials (1,209 patients) were identified. No trial found a reduction in risk for fracture. Bisphosphonates (7 trials; 268 patients; weighted mean difference [WMD], 7.66; 95% CI, 4.82 to 10.50), vitamin D analogues (2 trials; 51 patients; WMD, 6.13; 95% CI, 4.97 to 7.29), and calcitonin (1 trial; 31 patients; WMD, 5.00; 95% CI, 0.88 to 9.12) favorably affected the percentage of change in BMD at the lumbar spine compared with no treatment. Bisphosphonates (4 trials; 149 patients; WMD, 7.18; 95% CI, 6.22 to 8.13) and vitamin D analogues (2 trials; 51 patients; WMD, 3.73; 95% CI, 2.71 to 4.75), but not calcitonin (1 trial; 31 patients; WMD, -0.30; 95% CI, -5.00 to 4.40), had a favorable effect on BMD measured at the femoral neck…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,209 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free