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