skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8129

Management of age-related osteoporosis and prevention of associated fractures

(2601) Views  (369) Full article downloads

Authors: Eric J MacLaughlin, Rebecca B Sleeper, Danny McNatty, Cynthia L Raehl

Published Date October 2006 Volume 2006:2(3) Pages 281 - 295
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S

Eric J MacLaughlin1, Rebecca B Sleeper2, Danny McNatty2, Cynthia L Raehl1

1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA; 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy, Lubbock, TX, USA

Abstract: Osteoporosis and related fractures are a significant concern for the global community. As the population continues to age, morbidity and mortality from fractures due to low bone mineral density (BMD) will likely continue to increase. Efforts should be made to screen those at risk for osteoporosis, identify and address various risk factors for falls and associated fractures, ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and institute pharmacological therapy to increase BMD when indicated. Agents which increase BMD and have been shown to decrease fractures, particularly at the hip, should be considered preferentially over those for which only BMD data are available. Drugs which have been shown to decrease the risk of age-related osteoporotic fractures include oral bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, and risedronate), intranasal calcitonin, estrogen receptor stimulators (eg, estrogen, selective estrogen receptor modulators [raloxifene]), parathyroid hormone (teriparatide), sodium fluoride, and strontium ranelate. Data are beginning to emerge supporting various combination therapies (eg, bisphosphonate plus an estrogen receptor stimulator), though more data are needed to identify combinations which are most effective and confer added fracture protection. In addition, further research is needed to identify ideal regimens in special populations such as nursing home patients and men.

 

Keywords: osteoporosis, fracture, prevention, treatment