The Effects of Bisphosphonates Used Continually or Intermittently on Fractures, Bone Mineral Density and Biochemical Parameters in Osteoporotic Patients - Original Investigation

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bisphosphonates on new fracture development, bone mineral density and biochemical parameters in osteoporotic patients who were treated with these drugs for 5 years. Material and Methods: Thirty nine patients from our osteoporosis outpatient clinic, using bisphosphonates treatment for 5 years were included in this retrospective study. The patients were questioned in terms of demographic features, osteoporosis risk factors, spine and total hip BMD scores measured during the diagnosis and the last follow-up, duration of bisphosphonates use, adverse-effect profile and compliance to the treatment. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase levels and 24 houred-urine calcium level were examined. Patients were divided into 2 groups as the patients who were using bisphosphonates continually after diagnosis were group 1 and the patients left using bisphosphonates for some time because of several reasons treated intermittently were group 2. Results: After the diagnosis, 11 (28.2%) patients received bisphosphonate treatment continually (Group 1) while 28 (71.8%) used the treatment intermittently (Group 2) for 5 years. The break in bisphosphonate use in Group 2 was 1.25±0.63 years. No statistical differences were determined between the 2 groups with respect to DEXA measurement, biochemical parameters or new fracture development identified clinically (p>0.05). Conclusion: Efficacy of bisphosphonates on new fracture development identified clinically, biochemical parameters and DEXA measurement was sustained in patients using bisphosphonates regularly for 5 years, even when treatment was interrupted for approximately 1.5 years. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2010;16:1-8)

Keywords

• Postmenopausal osteoporosis
• bisphosphonate
• new fracture