Rapid prevention of vertebral fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Abstract

Osteoporosis affects postmenopausal women and patients on glucocorticoid therapy. Fractures are the most devastating outcome. Patients who experience an osteoporotic vertebral fracture are at substantial risk of experiencing another within 1 year. Risk can be reduced rapidly with antiresorptives. Risedronate reduced the risk of vertebral fracture in patients with post-menopausal or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis after 1 year by up to 71% in prospective studies. In post hoc analyses, significant reductions in clinical vertebral fractures were demonstrated after 6 months with risedronate and 1 year with alendronate and raloxifene. Rapid reduction in fracture risk is achievable with the potent therapeutic agents available.