Procedures
NTDT, diabetes mellitus
CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS, HYPOGONADISM, DIABETES MELLITUS, HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION, HEPATITIS C, HYPOTHYROIDISM
Eligible patients were 1:1 randomized to receive either alendronate at a dose of 70 mg orally once weekly or a placebo in the morning on an empty stomach for 12 months. Computer-generated block randomization was performed according to sex and dependency of red cells transfusion (TDT or NTDT), with a block size of 4. The details of the randomization list were only known and kept by a department’s research officer. Calcium carbonate (with elemental calcium of 600 mg per day, taken after lunch or dinner) and vitamin D2 20,000 IU per week supplementations were given to all participants.Patients were evaluated at baseline and every 3 months thereafter. At baseline, complete blood count and biochemical profile were measured, including calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D (as 25-hydroxy vitamin D) levels. Iron profile, in the form of serum ferritin, was measured. Patients were tested for chronic viral hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Tests for hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, abnormal parathyroid hormone, low insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level, and diabetes mellitus were performed at baseline. Low IGF-1 was defined as less than the lower limit of normal IGF-1 level of that age and sex. Hormone replacement therapy was allowed during the study period.