Help for Preventing Bone Fractures in Women Age 50 and Older

A study of more than 6,000 Canadian women concludes osteoporosis drugs called anti-resorptive agents help reduce risk of low-trauma bone fractures in women age 50 and older. Examples of anti-resorptive drugs include:

• Estrogen
• Bisphosphonates
• Selective estrogen-receptor modulators
• Calcitonin

The study began seven years ago. The group of women in the study was asked about their use of anti-resorptive agents and the women’s bone mineral density was measured at the beginning of the study.

Researchers found an average 32 percent reduced risk of non-vertebral osteoporosis-related bone fractures associated with the use of anti-resorptive agents. This risk reduction was higher among women with major risk factors for fractures.

These findings are similar to previous studies that found anti-resorptive agents helped fractures in women with osteoporosis.
Another study found that low-dose estrogen therapy is more effective in treating osteoporosis in women with lower natural levels of estrogen in their blood. This is the first study to suggest a very low dose of estrogen may vary in effect substantially from woman to woman based on their natural estrogen levels.

A once-a-year injection of a common osteoporosis drug called zoledronic acid could be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Findings published in the May 3, 2007 issue of the the England Journal of Medicine state researchers report annual injections of zoledronic acid greatly reduced older women’s risk for fractures.

The once-a-year injection can be given to patients in the office with a 15-minute IV. The FDA has not approved a single-year injection yet, but researchers are very hopeful it will. This treatment would be a very convenient alternative for people who cannot or will not take traditional anti-resorbtive medicine. Still yet, it is not for everybody researchers warn. The study was in older people. Younger people should not be seeking this type of treatment. An outside expert agreed the new drug formulation could change the way people care for their bones.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that primarily affects women in their postmenopausal years. Men can also acquire osteoporosis; it is just not as common in men as it is in women. As Osteoporosis progresses bones get thinner and become more fragile. Thinner and more fragile bones mean “easier fractures.” The goal is to help keep the bones strong and reduce bone loss to prevent fractures in women after menopause and/or over 50.

For women able to take these drugs, it is a very exciting discovery that will help prevent fractures in postmenopausal and/or women age 50 and over.

Source: Science Daily

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional

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© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved