Authors' response: the role of risedronate in osteopenia in Crohn's disease

We read with interest the comments of Buchan and Manuel concerning our risedronate intervention trial in osteopenic patients with Crohn's disease.1 ,2 They stipulated that exclusion of patients with vitamin D deficiency limited the significance of the performed study, as this deficiency is frequently observed in Crohn's disease. It is however well known that replenishment of vitamin D (and calcium) in patients with vitamin D deficiency would lead to a rapid improvement of bone density, irrespective of any effect of risedronate. As assessment of a therapeutic effect of the latter was our primary …