Adynamic Bone Disease

Adynamic bone disease reduces bone strength and the body's ability to utilize calcium effectively. Victims of the condition may suffer from increased susceptibility to fractures and nonhealing of many bone problems. However, some cases of adynamic bone disease have little to no effect on a patient and may never be diagnosed.

History

• Adynamic bone disease was first isolated as a unique diagnosis in the early 1980s. Initially, it was discovered as a complication from excess aluminum absorption in the body; however, as the disease grows in prevalence, aluminum-related illnesses have instead diminished. Thus, adynamic bone disease also manifests from other causes and prognosis varies depending on the nature of its formation.

Aluminum Related

• The most symptomatic cases of adynamic bone disease are related to aluminum intoxication. Significant pain and bone fragility generally occur in this form of the disease. Many of the cases were caused by medications in the 1980s and 1990s that indirectly affected aluminum levels in the body. The prevalence of aluminum-related adynamic bone disease substantially diminished after these medications were discontinued.

Non-Aluminum Related

• Adynamic bone disease has remained a common problem unrelated to its aluminum variant. While the physiology is the same, the symptoms vary. Most patients with non-aluminum adynamic bone disease are unaware of the condition except when other diseases interact with it. The most common conditions complicated by adynamic bone disease are those involving calcium.

Vascular Calcification

• A 2009 study has suggested a connection between adynamic bone disease and vascular calcification. Both conditions have a direct impact on the body's relationship to calcium. Instead of responding positively to calcium therapy for vascular calcification, the problems may worsen when adynamic bone disease is also present. Thus, alternative treatment for vascular calcification is usually required in these cases.

Reversal

• When adynamic bone disease presents alongside dialysis, specialized treatment is available to potentially cure the condition. A 2006 study analyzed calcium reduction therapy to reverse the progression of adynamic bone disease in these circumstances. By affecting the mechanisms between calcium and bone growth, the therapy restored healthy bone activity. As discovered in similar studies for other disease pairings with adynamic bone disease, the treatment was effective only in cases unrelated to aluminum intoxication.