Recent reports suggesting a link between long-term bisphosphonate usage
and rare bone fractures have sparked rising concern among patients,
health care professionals and the public. The American
Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) is examining this
urgent clinical issue and will present its findings later this year.
The ASBMR is a professional, scientific and medical society that brings
together clinical and experimental scientists involved in the study of
bone and mineral metabolism. A multidisciplinary, international task
force set up by the group will present its findings at ASBMR’s Annual
Meeting in Toronto October 15-19.
Studies have found that bisphosphonates significantly reduce the risk of
broken bones in people with osteoporosis. Patients taking
bisphosphonates are typically at a higher risk of breaking a bone
without treatment. Existing data suggest a very low risk of developing
atypical femoral fractures for patients taking bisphosphonates for
osteoporosis.
Elizabeth Shane, MD, Co-Chair of the ASBMR Task Force states: “The
published and unpublished data that we’ve reviewed indicate that these
fractures affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 patients on bisphosphonates.
Many more fractures of the hip, spine, and other sites are prevented by
bisphosphonates than the number of atypical fractures seen. The
risk-benefit ratio, therefore, clearly favors treating patients who have
osteoporosis with bisphosphonates.”
Until the ASBMR Task Force completes its work and issues its report, it
urges patients and healthcare professionals to follow the recently
released guidance by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you’re a patient taking oral bisphosphonates you should: