[Treatment of renal osteodystrophy with calcitriol in patients on maintenance haemodialysis].

The study was carried out on a group of 21 patients on maintenance haemodialysis, who were treated with calcitriol for a mean period of 8,4 months. Control group included 21 patients simultaneously haemodialysed but not receiving calcitriol. Bone mineral content (BMC) in the forearm was measured by the method of photon absorptiometry, and x-ray examination of the whole skeleton was performed before and after the period of study period. Biochemical findings included: serum levels of calcium phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathormone (RA for C-terminal fragment). In the group of patients treated with calcitriol the best results were achieved in suppression of clinical, biochemical and radiographic signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The frequency of bone and/or muscular pain, muscular weakness, hypocalcaemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase and radiographoc signs of cysitc fibrose osteitis was significantly reduced. Mean values of serum calciums and phosphorus were significantly increased, while mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and parathormone were decreased. The effect of therapy with calcitriol on bone mineralization was less effective. Actually, the frequency of pathological finding of the BMC, radiographic signs of ostemalacia and osteoporosis were not significantly reduced, but mean BMC was significantly increased. The control group of patients did not show significant alteration in any osteodystrophycal sign and further deterioration of renal osteodystrophy was noticed.