Objective To investigate the efficacy of zoledronic acid in the comprehensive treatment of osteoporosis associated with spinal tuberculosis. Methods Forty cases of spinal tuberculosis in our department from 2010 to 2013 were divided into group A and B. Twenty patients in group A, with mean age of 67.4±5.32 years old, received intravenous zoledronic acid 5mg, oral Caltrate D 2 tablets/day for 12 months after the operation. Twenty patients in group B, as the control group with a mean age of 65.3±6.54 years old, received Caltrate D 2 tablets /day and Alpha D3 0.25 ug/d for 12 months. The changes of BMD, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum β-I collagen cross-linked carboxy-terminal peptide (β-CTX), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and imaging data were observed in patients of the two groups before and after the treatment. Results All the patients were successfully operated. They were followed up for 1-2.7 years, with an average of 1.8 years. BMD of the femoral neck, ESR, β-CTX, and BALP were not different between the two groups before the surgery. After the treatment, BMD of the femoral neck in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.05). ESR decreased significantly in group A after the surgery (P<0.05). BALP was constant (P > 0.05). β-CTX and BALP were not different in group B after the treatment compared to those before the treatment (P>0.05). β-CTX decreased significantly in group A compared to that in group B (P>0.05). BALP was not different between the groups (P>0.05). ESR was relieved in both groups after the treatment, without difference between the groups (P>0.05). Imaging data suggested that all the patients followed obtained grade I fusion, with a fusion rate of 100%. No broken nails or broken rods occurred at the last follow-up. Loosening of the nail occurred in 3 cases in group B. Other nails were fixed well in position without shifting. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Zoledronic acid has good efficacy in the comprehensive treatment of spinal tuberculosis associated with osteoporosis. |