Treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta in adults.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous rare connective tissue disorder commonly caused by mutations in the collagen type I genes. Pharmacological treatment has been most extensively studied in children, and there are only few studies comprising adult OI patients.

OBJECTIVES: i) To review the literature on the current medical management of OI in children and adults, and thereby identify unmet medical needs and ii) to present an overview of possible future treatment options.

RESULTS: Individualization and optimization of OI treatment in adults remain a challenge, because available treatments do not target the underlying collagen defect, and available literature gives weak support for treatment decisions for adult patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Bisphosphonates are still the most widely used pharmacological treatment for adult OI, but the current evidence supporting this is sparse and investigations on indications for choice and duration of treatment are needed.