Three Cases of Osteomalacia with Fractures Induced by Adefovir in Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한골다공증학회지

ABSTRACT

Adefovir dipivoxil is used antiviral agent in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. This drug is recommended for patients infected with lamivudine-refractory hepatitis B. Many studies of low-dose adefovir have shown little evidence of renal tubular dysfunction. However, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia has recently been reported in patients treated with adefovir. We report three cases of low dose adefovir-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia with fractures. All three patients had been receiving adefovir due to lamivudine-refractory hepatitis B, presented multiple bone pain. The laboratory tests revealed hypophosphatemia and phosphaturia. Bone scintigraphy showed increased uptake in multiple lesions. They were diagnosed as adefovir induced hypophophatemic osteomalacia. Changing the antiviral agent and administration of calcitriol and phosphates improved hypophosphatemia and clinical symptoms. Patients with hepatitis B virus treated with adefovir should be monitored with the serum phosphate levels and presenting symptoms of diffuse bone pain, clinicians need to suspect this infrequent complication.