Alendronate Osteoporosis Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects must be diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or vasculitis according to standard criteria where available, and according to treating physicians when not available. * Subjects must have diminished AP lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD by DXA (Hologic 4500) with a Z score ≤ -1.5 SD assessed within 8 weeks of the Baseline Visit. * Subjects must have received daily, alternate day or weekly systemic glucocorticoid therapy for a minimum of six months total in their life-time. * Subjects must be between the ages of 8 and 21 years, 11 months, at randomization. Although subjects younger than 8 years of age may be affected by osteoporosis, limited normative data prevents assignment of a BMD Z score for this group. * Regarding subjects with child-bearing potential Females who have had at least one menstrual cycle must either be abstinent or must be using an effective method of birth control. Exclusion Criteria: * Current or recent (within 6 months) treatment with therapeutic doses of a bisphosphonate, calcitonin, human growth hormone, and heparin, all agents known to alter bone density * A history of recent (within one year of screening) major upper gastrointestinal (GI) disease (above the jejunum), including, but not limited to, peptic ulcer, esophageal disease or active GI bleeding, or ever had …