Long-term risks of bisphosphonate therapy.

The objective this study was to summarize long-term risks associated with bisphosphonate therapy. Search of relevant medical publications for data from clinical trials, trial extensions, observational studies and post-marketing reports. Trial extensions and modifications did not reveal significant long-term safety issues. Observational data suggest at least as many benefits as risks. Post-marketing reports of musculoskeletal pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures have been widely circulated in the lay press. Most focus on long-terms risks has been on osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures which occur in patients who have not received bisphosphonate therapy but may be more frequent (though still uncommon) in patients who have been on treatment for 5 years or longer. Lower-risk patients may be able to stop treatment after 3-5 years for a "drug holiday," which mitigates these long-term risks; for higher risk patients, therapy through 6-10 years appears to be advisable and offers more benefits than risks.

Long-term risks of bisphosphonate therapy / Riscos do tratamento a longo prazo com bisfosfonatos

The objective this study was to summarize long-term risks associated with bisphosphonate therapy. Search of relevant medical publications for data from clinical trials, trial extensions, observational studies and post-marketing reports. Trial extensions and modifications did not reveal significant long-term safety issues. Observational data suggest at least as many benefits as risks. Post-marketing reports of musculoskeletal pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures have been widely circulated in the lay press. Most focus on long-terms risks has been on osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures which occur in patients who have not received bisphosphonate therapy but may be more frequent (though still uncommon) in patients who have been on treatment for 5 years or longer. Lower-risk patients may be able to stop treatment after 3-5 years for a “drug holiday,” which mitigates these long-term risks; for higher risk patients, therapy through 6-10 years appears to be advisable and offers more benefits than risks.

O objetivo deste estudo foi resumir os riscos associados ao tratamento a longo prazo com bisfosfonatos. Foram pesquisadas as publicações médicas relevantes incluindo ensaios clínicos, extensões de ensaios clínicos, estudos observacionais e relatórios pós-comercialização (vigilância farmacológica). As extensões e modificações de ensaios clínicos não indicaram nenhuma situação de alarme quanto à segurança dos bisfosfonatos a longo prazo. Dados observacionais sugerem pelo menos tantos benefícios quanto riscos. Entretanto, relatos pós-comercialização de dor musculoesquelética, osteonecrose da mandíbula e fraturas de fêmur atípicas foram amplamente divulgados na imprensa leiga. O foco nos riscos a longo prazo do tratamento com bisfosfonatos tem sido pincipalmente a osteonecrose da mandíbula e as fraturas atípicas de fêmur. Essas últimas, embora mais frequentes (ainda que pouco comuns) em pacientes que receberam tratamento com bisfosfonatos por 5 anos ou mais, podem ocorrer em indivíduos não tratados com esses medicamentos. Pacientes com baixo risco de fratura podem potencialmente parar o tratamento depois de 3 a 5 anos (“drug holiday”). Esse procedimento reduz os riscos desses medicamentos a longo prazo. Não obstante, nos pacientes de maior risco a terapia por 6 a 10 anos parece ser aconselhável e oferece mais benefícios do que riscos.

When, where and how osteoporosis-associated fractures occur: an analysis from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW).

OBJECTIVE: To examine when, where and how fractures occur in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW), including women aged ≥55 years from the United States of America, Canada, Australia and seven European countries. Women completed questionnaires including fracture data at baseline and years 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: Among 60,393 postmenopausal women, 4122 incident fractures were reported (86% non-hip, non-vertebral [NHNV], 8% presumably clinical vertebral and 6% hip). Hip fractures were more likely to occur in spring, with little seasonal variation for NHNV or spine fractures. Hip fractures occurred equally inside or outside the home, whereas 65% of NHNV fractures occurred outside and 61% of vertebral fractures occurred inside the home. Falls preceded 68-86% of NHNV and 68-83% of hip fractures among women aged ≤64 to ≥85 years, increasing with age. About 45% of vertebral fractures were associated with falls in all age groups except those ≥85 years, when only 24% occurred after falling. CONCLUSION: In this multi-national cohort, fractures occurred throughout the year, with only hip fracture having a seasonal variation, with a higher proportion in spring. Hip fractures occurred equally within and outside the home, spine fractures more often in the home, and NHNV fractures outside the home. Falls were a proximate cause of most hip and NHNV fractures. Postmenopausal women at risk for fracture need counseling about reducing potentially modifiable fracture risk factors, particularly falls both inside and outside the home and during all seasons of the year.