Treatment of adynamic bone disease in a haemodialysis patient with teriparatide

Prevalence of adynamic bone disease (ABD), characterized by low bone turnover and absence or a reduced number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, is increasing steadily over the last years. We present a dialysis patient, with recurrent bone fractures and biopsy-proven ABD, who was treated with teriparatide. Nine months after initiation of treatment, iPTH plasma levels increased to 520 pg/mL and a second bone biopsy revealed high bone turnover, normal mineralization and normal bone volume. Two years later, iPTH was 250–350 pg/dL and bone metabolism parameters within normal range. The probable utility of teriparatide in the treatment of ABD in dialysis patients is discussed.