Drugs for osteoporosis may heighten risk of thigh bone fractures, says review
A review carried out by researchers from the Loyola University Medical Center and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the US, has indicated that people taking medication to treat their osteoporosis may be at a heightened risk of experiencing a thigh bone fracture as a result of taking the drugs.
The review, published in Current Geriatrics Report, has indicated that this is a side effect of the bisphosphonate therapy that needs to be managed more carefully by doctors.
These particular injuries, called atypical femur fractures, tend to occur after three years of bisphosphonate use. They can occur with little or no force or trauma and are often preceded by pain in the thigh. With lifetime risk of osteoporosis-related fractures currently estimated between 40% – 50% in women and 13% – 22% in men, these fractures represent a further complication to the treatment of the condition.
The report has said that because fractures can lead to an elevated mortality risk in older people, it is necessary to ensure the issue is managed as carefully as possible and that atypical femur fractures should be treated by immediately ceasing the use of the bisphosphonate therapy and calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be maximised, as current recommendations for use of these supplements may be too low for those affected by this problem.
Complete fractures are usually treated surgically with implanted titanium rods, while incomplete breaks can also be treated in the same way to prevent them from becoming more serious.
The researchers stated: “Physicians responsible for the management of osteoporosis must be aware of this issue, be able to diagnose these fractures before they are complete and have a strategy for managing bisphosphonate therapy long-term.”
Katherine Free, research liaison and communications manager for Arthritis Research UK, says, “Bisphosphonates are generally very well tolerated and their benefits to people with osteoporosis far outweigh the risks. If you are worried about any side effects caused by this medication, we advise that you speak to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment. We are currently funding research into osteoporosis in the hope of finding new ways to prevent, treat and ultimately cure this disabling condition.”
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