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Osteoporosis knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of female collegiate athletes.

Female athletes often engage in harmful dietary and weight control practices that can impair bone health and hinder performance. To promote related positive health behavior practices, nutrition educators may be more effective if they understand the osteoporosis knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among female athletes. A questionnaire including items related to osteoporosis and dietary calcium knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral practices was administered to 114 female collegiate athletes (19.6+/-1.4 years). Self-reported intakes of dairy product consumption were also obtained; subjects were asked how many times per week they drank milk and ate cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. The mean score for osteoporosis knowledge was 7.1+/-1.9 (out of 10 items). The mean score for favorable responses to attitude items was 2.1+/-0.8 (out of 3 items). Correct responses to dietary calcium knowledge items were 2.2+/-0.7 (out of 3 items). On average, subjects consumed 2.4+/-1.6 servings of dairy products per day; 31% of subjects consumed the recommended 3 or more servings per day. Osteoporosis knowledge, osteoporosis attitudes, and dietary calcium knowledge were not correlated (p > .05) with dairy product intake. Because of the importance of achieving a high peak bone mass to prevent osteoporosis, our data suggest that further research is needed regarding other factors that might influence dairy product intake among female athletes.

Adult↗

Perimenopausal women's views on taking hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To find out perimenopausal women's views on taking hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis. DESIGN: Semistructured postal questionnaire survey; the questionnaire was enclosed with a letter to explain the purpose of the study and to give patients some information about hormone replacement therapy and osteoporosis. SETTING: Mixed social class, urban general practice with 12,000 registered patients. PATIENTS: All women aged 50, 51, or 52 were selected from the age-sex register; 102 women were identified and 84 (87%) replied to the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response rates to questions on interest in taking hormone replacement therapy, the importance of preventing osteoporosis, and worries about side effects of the treatment. RESULTS: More than three quarters of the respondents (65) were interested in taking hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis, but 48 of them would have liked further information. Sixty four women thought that it was very important to prevent osteoporosis. More than half of the respondents (51) were worried about side effects of the treatment, but only 15 women thought that continued menstruation would be a major disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable interest among perimenopausal women in taking hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis. The resource implications for primary care in meeting this interest are substantial.

Attitude to Health↗

Osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Bone mineral content in spinal trabecular and peripheral cortical bone was measured in 75 unselected patients with small and/or large intestinal inflammatory bowel disease. Osteoporosis, defined as a bone mineral content greater than 2 SD below the age and sex matched normal mean value was present in 23 patients (30.6%). Three amenorrhoeic females aged 34, 38, and 42 years had severe clinical osteoporosis and a further three patients had one or more vertebral crush fractures. Eighteen of the 23 patients with osteoporosis had small intestinal disease with one or more resections and the mean lifetime steroid dose in those with osteoporosis was significantly higher than in those with normal bone mineral content. Bone mineral content in spinal trabecular bone showed significant negative correlations with lifetime steroid dose and serum alkaline phosphatase and a significant positive correlation with serum albumin. Peripheral cortical bone mineral content was positively correlated with body weight, height and body mass index. We conclude that the prevalence of osteoporosis is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, severe clinical osteoporosis developing in some relatively young patients. The pathogenesis of this bone loss is probably multifactorial; steroid therapy is likely to be an important contributory factor.

Adult↗

Osteoporosis in primary biliary cirrhosis revisited.

BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is increasingly being diagnosed in the earlier non-cholestatic stages of disease. Accepted wisdom has been that PBC is frequently complicated by osteoporosis. Whether this association holds true for the broader spectrum of PBC patients now recognised has not as yet been studied. AIMS: To examine the extent to which osteoporosis occurs more commonly in PBC patients than in normal individuals of the same age and sex. DESIGN: Retrospective review of a large cohort of well characterised PBC patients. PATIENTS: A total of 272 PBC patients with definite or probable PBC followed up for a mean of 10.1 years (total follow up 2726 patient years) who had at least one bone mineral density measurement (BMD). RESULTS: In this unselected group of PBC patients, mean Z scores (number of SDs from age and sex matched normal mean values) at the neck of femur (NOF) and lumbar spine (LS) at first BMD measurement (7 (6) years after PBC diagnosis) were -0.1 (1.4) and 0.1 (1.4), respectively. At first BMD measurement, 18 PBC patients had Z scores less than -2.0 and 85 had T scores less than -2.5. No factors predictive of osteoporosis were found in affected patients. A total of 957 BMD measurements were performed (0.35 per patient year of follow up); 220 patients had two or more measurements. No patient went on to develop de novo osteoporosis during follow up. In the 51 patients (who were clinically representative of the whole group) who received no PBC or bone related treatment during follow up, %BMD changes per year at the NOF and LS were -1.6 (3.2) and 0.1 (2.2), respectively. No variance in this "natural" rate of BMD measurement was seen in patients receiving PBC modulating agents (including prednisolone and UDCA) or osteoporosis prophylaxis/therapy. Significant improvement at the LS was seen in patients undergoing liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is not a specific complication of PBC.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Osteoporosis in childhood.

Osteoporosis is defined as 'too little normal bone', the disorder being rarer in children than adults. The varied forms in childhood can be classified as those secondary to some other disease and primary forms of the disorder which include the genetically determined osteogenesis imperfecta types and idiopathic forms of osteoporosis. A plea is made for greater clinical application in attempting to discriminate differing forms of these primary disorders. Osteogenesis imperfecta it is argued is a heterogeneous condition with the evidence favouring both dominantly and recessively transmitted forms in different kindreds. Another possible osteogenesis imperfecta variant is characterized by dwarfing, scoliosis and peculiar cystic lesions of the proximal humeri. Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis is a term reserved for the acute osteoporosis beginning in the immediate prepubertal years and may differ in its cause from idiopathic osteoporosis beginning rather earlier in childhood. It is emphasized that immobilization osteoporosis is of very great importance and may become superimposed upon other osseous dysplasias. A complete understanding of these conditions will be helped by elucidation of the basic underlying defects in collagen and other constituents of bone matrix.

Adolescent↗

Clinical use of serum and urine bone markers in the management of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by decreased bone mass, increased bone turnover, and increased susceptibility to fracture. Almost 44 million Americans are estimated to have low bone mass, which puts them at increased risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures. Osteoporosis is diagnosed by a low bone density (BMD) measurement, because a low BMD is known to contribute to increased fracture risk, which is the main source of morbidity and mortality for osteoporosis. However, changes in bone mass and density in response to anti-resorptive therapy account for only a small portion of the predicted fracture risk reduction. Whereas dynamic changes in bone turnover, estimated by measurement of bone biochemical markers, such as breakdown products of type-I collagen and proteins secreted by osteoblasts and osteoclasts in blood and urine, can account for a major portion of anti-fracture efficacy of anti-resorptive agents. Most anti-resorptive agents act by rapidly reducing bone markers. This has led to advocacy for use of bone turnover markers, in complement to BMD measurement, in the management of osteoporosis. In general, higher bone turnover is associated with accelerated bone loss and potential deterioration in bone quality. Several clinical trials have established the potential utility of markers to identify patients with rapid bone loss, to aid in therapeutic decision-making, and to monitor therapeutic efficacy of various treatments. Elevated marker levels have been shown to be associated with increased risk of fracture in elderly women, but their utility in predicting fracture is not yet established. In this article, we provide a brief summary to primary practitioners about the role bone markers can play in the management of osteoporosis.

Biomarkers↗

Do patients receive recommended treatment of osteoporosis following hip fracture in primary care?

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis results in fractures and treatment of osteoporosis has been shown to reduce risk of fracture particularly in those who have had a history of fracture. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted using patients admitted to a hip fracture rehabilitation program at a large referral center to evaluate the use of treatments recommended for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture between September 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003. The frequency of medication use for the treatment of osteoporosis including estrogen replacement therapy, bisphosponates, calcitonin, calcium and vitamin D therapy was determined on admission, at 6 weeks post discharge and one year following discharge. All patients were discharged to the care of their family physician. All family physicians in the referral region received a copy of the Canadian Consensus recommendations for osteoporosis management 1-3 months prior to the study. RESULTS: During the study period, 174 patients were enrolled and 121 completed all assessments. Fifty-seven family physicians were identified as caring for 1 or more of the study patients. Only 7 patients had previous BMD, only 5 patients had previously been prescribed a bisphosponate and 14 patients were taking calcium and/or vitamin D. All patients were prescribed 2500 mg calcium, 400 IU vitamin D and 5 mg residronate daily during rehabilitation and at discharge.Following discharge, a significant improvement was seen in all clinical indices of functional mobility, including the functional independence measure (FIM), walking distance, fear of falling score (FFS), and the Berg balance score (BBS). At six weeks a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in calcium and vitamin D use was observed. All patients remained compliant with residronate therapy. At twelve months 71 patients remained on residronate (p < 0.01), 10 were now taking alternate bisphosphonate therapy and few were taking calcium and/or vitamin D (p < 0.001). FIM, FFS and Berg scores were significantly decreased from discharge (p < 0.001) while walking distance was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Few patients admitted for hip fracture had previously taken recommended osteoporosis therapy including bisphosphonates. While compliance with Canadian Consensus recommendations was observed at six weeks, this was not the case at twelve months post hip fracture rehabilitation. Interventions to improve not only the detection and treatment of osteoporosis but also the ongoing treatment and management post-fracture need to be developed and implemented.

Aftercare↗

The ECOS-16 questionnaire for the evaluation of health related quality of life in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to validate the questionnaire ECOS-16 (Assessment of health related quality of life in osteoporosis) for the evaluation of health related quality of life (HRQoL) in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS: An observational, prospective and multi-centre study was carried out among post-menopausal women with osteoporosis in primary care centres and hospital outpatient clinics. All patients attended 2 visits: at baseline and at 6 months. In addition, the subgroup of outpatients attended another visit a month after the baseline to assess the test-retest reliability. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated in terms of feasibility, validity (content validity and construct validity) and internal consistency in baseline, and in terms of test-retest reliability and responsiveness to change in visit at month and visit at 6 months, respectively. In all visits, ECOS-16, EUROQoL-5D (EQ-5D) and four 7-point items about health status (general health status, back pain, limitation in daily activities and emotional status) were administered, whereas only outpatients were given MINI-OQLQ (Mini Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire), besides all clinical variables; and sociodemographic variables at baseline. RESULTS: 316 women were consecutively included, 212 from primary care centres and 104 from hospital outpatient clinics. Feasibility: 94.3% of patients answered all items of the questionnaire. The mean administration time was 12.3 minutes. VALIDITY: factor analysis suggested that the questionnaire was unidimensional. In the multivariate analysis, patients with vertebral fractures, co-morbidity and a lower education level showed to have worse HRQoL. Moderate to high correlations were found between the ECOS-16 score and the other health status questionnaires (0.47-0.82). Reliability: internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.92 and test-retest reliability (ICC) was 0.80. Responsiveness to change: ECOS-16 scores increased according to change perceived by the patient, as well as the effect size (ranges between 1.35 to 0.43), the greater the perception of change in patients' general health status, the greater the changes in patients' scores. The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) suggested a change of 0.5 points in the ECOS-16 score, representing the least improvement in general health status due to their osteoporosis: "slightly better". CONCLUSION: ECOS-16 has been proven preliminarily to have good psychometric properties, so that it can be potentially a useful tool to evaluate HRQoL of post-menopausal women with osteoporosis in research and routine clinical practice.

Aged↗

Quality of life in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of osteoporosis on the patients' quality of life, particularly in the absence of fractures. METHODS: 100 post-menopausal women (age 50-85)--62 with uncomplicated primary osteoporosis and 38 with primary osteoporosis complicated by vertebral fractures; all already treated--were studied using two validated questionnaires: Qualeffo-41 for quality of life in osteoporosis, and Zung for depression. Data were compared to those of 35 controls of comparable age, affected by a different chronic disease (hypothyroidism). RESULTS: Family history of osteoporosis and T-score of spine were similar in the two subgroups of osteoporotic women. Body mass index, age at menopause and education level were similar in the two subgroups of osteoporotic women and in the control group. The patients affected by osteoporosis perceived it as a disease affecting their personal life with undesirable consequences: chronic pain (66% of women with fractures and 40% of women without fractures), impaired physical ability, reduced social activity, poor well-being (21% of women without fractures) and depressed mood (42% of women irrespective of fractures). Overall, 41% of the women showed a reduced quality of life. On the contrary, in the control group only 11% reported a reduced quality of life. CONCLUSION: The quality of life of osteoporotic patients should be investigated even before fractures, in order to develop appropriate counselling, support and care interventions to help patients develop efficient strategies for accepting the disease and coping with it.

Aged↗

Multi-omics Mendelian randomization integrating RNA-seq, eQTL and pQTL data revealed CPXM1 as a potential drug target for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, a prevalent skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk, continues to be a major global health concern. Traditional treatments for osteoporosis have limited efficacy and safety profiles, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. This study integrates multi-omics data, including RNA-seq, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) data, through Mendelian randomization (MR) to identify potential drug targets for osteoporosis. By leveraging bidirectional two-sample MR analysis, we identified CPXM1 (Carboxypeptidase X, M14 family member 1) as a novel gene that is causally linked to osteoporosis risk. Through transcriptomic and proteomic validation, we demonstrate that CPXM1 was upregulated in aged bone tissues and osteoporotic conditions in both human and murine models. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant dysregulation of bone homeostasis pathways, including increased extracellular matrix degradation and suppression of osteoblast differentiation in aged mice. Furthermore, phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) confirmed minimal off-target effects of CPXM1, reinforcing its potential as a therapeutic target. Finally, computational drug repurposing predicted several promising drug candidates, including Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, and 2-Methylcholine, which may target CPXM1 pathways for osteoporosis treatment. These findings highlight CPXM1 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, offering new avenues for osteoporosis therapy.

Osteoporosis↗

Assessment of ovarian failure and osteoporosis in premenopausal breast cancer survivors.

UNLABELLED: Premenopausal women who develop ovarian failure after receiving chemotherapy are at a higher risk of rapid bone loss. Pharmacists have successfully implemented osteoporosis screening programmes in the general population and thus, assessment of breast cancer survivors for ovarian failure and osteopenia could represent a novel focus for oncology pharmacists. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective chart review to determine the adequacy of ovarian failure and osteoporosis assessment and management in premenopausal breast cancer survivors. METHODS AND RESULTS: The charts of 20 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer treated with cyclophosphamide over a 4.5-year timespan were included. Their median age was 36.7 years (range 29.8-41). The median cyclophosphamide cumulative dose was 9 g/m(2) (range 2.4-14.45), with a median duration of follow-up being 4.62 years. The assessment of ovarian failure mainly occurred by documenting menstrual periods, which has been questioned as a reliable method for assessing ovarian failure. Menses stopped while or shortly after receiving chemotherapy in 11 women. Prior to and during cyclophosphamide administration, osteoporosis screening or counselling was not documented for any patient. After completion of chemotherapy administration, eight patients were counselled regarding osteoporosis and seven women were screened for osteoporosis with a dual X-ray absorptimetry (DXA) scan. Five women had DXA scans indicative of osteopenia according to World Health Organization guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements are needed in the documentation and potentially also the management of ovarian failure and osteoporosis in premenopausal breast cancer survivors receiving cyclophosphamide-based regimens. This represents a potential opportunity for pharmacists to manage long-term chemotherapy toxicity.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Osteoporosis due to cancer treatment: pathogenesis and management.

Many therapeutic regimens in cancer treatment carry the risk of causing or favoring the development of osteoporosis. Therapies in which hypogonadism may occur are most relevant in this respect. Prompt hormone replacement therapy is indicated in these patients. In patients in whom this is undesirable because of a hormone-dependent tumor, the risk of osteoporosis should be assessed by means of osteodensitometry, and prophylactic or therapeutic measures should be instituted if necessary. Early intervention improves outcome because osteoporosis therapy is most effective in preventing deterioration of bone mass. There remains much uncertainty in assessing the risk of combination chemotherapy with regard to the development of osteoporosis. Negative effects on the skeleton have, however, been demonstrated for individual drugs, such as methotrexate and ifosfamide. Negative effects of the tumor itself on bone metabolism may aggravate the degree of osteoporosis. Detailed data and long-term experience to assess the risk are urgently needed in this area and constitute an important research topic for the coming years and decades. This review discusses the most prevalent mechanisms of osteoporosis caused by cancer treatment and outlines therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of therapy-induced bone loss.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Association between osteoporosis and otosclerosis in women.

Similarities between osteoporosis and otosclerosis have been noted, including a similar association with the COL1A1 gene. Herein, the authors explore the possible clinical relationship between these two common disorders of bone. In this retrospective study, the medical charts of 100 women aged 50 through 75 years who had undergone stapedectomy for otosclerosis were reviewed and the prevalence of osteoporosis in these women was noted. Similarly, the prevalence of osteoporosis was determined in a control group of 100 women aged 50 to 75 years with presbycusis. Fifteen of 100 women with otosclerosis had a concomitant diagnosis of osteoporosis as compared with four of 100 women with presbycusis, yielding a significant clinical association (p = 0.007) between otosclerosis and osteoporosis. This study suggests an association between otosclerosis and osteoporosis, providing impetus and justification for future prospective clinical studies and related research.

Age Distribution↗

Osteoporosis assessment and treatment in older patients who have sustained a hip fracture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Currently fracture sufferers are not being assessed or treated for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis guidelines differ in their secondary prevention recommendations, with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) advocating bone densitometry in all fracture patients and anti-resorptive treatment only if evidence-based criteria are confirmed, but the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal recommends treatment for all older females without this bone densitometry confirmation. We aimed to determine the rate of referral for bone densitometry, the numbers achieving SIGN criteria for anti-resorptive therapy, and the rate of osteoporosis treatment in patients with hip fracture METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients older than 65 years who had sustained a hip fracture in Tayside between April 2003 and July 2005 was performed RESULTS: Only 8.6% of hip fracture patients underwent bone densitometry, of which 90.6% of females older than 75 years met SIGN criteria for anti-resorptive treatment. 74.3% of all patients referred for bone densitometry were treated with an anti-resorptive agent, compared to only to 12.7% of the large majority group who were not assessed for osteoporosis CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis investigation and therefore treatment remains sub-optimal in hip fracture patients. Almost all females, older than 75 years, with a hip fracture met evidence-based criteria for anti-resorptive treatment. NICE guidance, recommending anti-resorptive treatment without bone densitometry confirmation of reduced bone mineral density, should maybe be implemented for this specific group of patients in an attempt to increase osteoporosis treatment rates.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

A review of osteoporosis in men: implications for practice.

This article discusses the issue of osteoporosis from a male perspective. Osteoporosis is often seen as a woman's disease; however, there are a significant number of men who suffer from osteoporosis and the effects of the disease can have implications for the man's physical, social and psychological well-being. The reasons why osteoporosis may be increasing in the male population are discussed. The possible causes of osteoporosis as well as the risk factors that may put men at danger of contracting the illness are outlined. Bone density is an important factor related to the development of osteoporotic fractures - methods of measuring bone density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry are provided, as are other important investigations that will be needed. The management and treatment of the male patient with osteoporosis and the role of the nurse are detailed.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Potential use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors for osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current clinical data describing the effects of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors in bone formation and reduction of fracture incidence and their potential use for osteoporosis. DATA SOURCES: English-language articles and abstracts were identified from a MEDLINE database search (1966-May 2001) that used the key words osteoporosis, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and treatment. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS: In the past, there has been considerable emphasis placed in the detection, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis. New drug therapies have been introduced in the market aimed at decreasing bone loss and increasing bone formation, with the ultimate goal of decreasing fractures. Currently, there are a variety of agents available for the treatment of osteoporosis. A limited number of case-control studies have suggested that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may have the potential to reduce the risk of fractures by increasing bone formation, although other studies have failed to show a benefit in fracture reduction. The potential benefit of this therapy is still undetermined because of a lack of randomized, controlled, clinical trials and conflicting data. CONCLUSIONS: At this time, there are limited data on the role of statins in the treatment of osteoporosis. Practitioners must be cautious when using these agents over other proven conventional therapies. Randomized, controlled, clinical trials are needed to accurately determine the role of these agents in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Parathyroid hormone (1-84) and treatment of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To present the chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-84) and review the available clinical trials that evaluate its efficacy and safety; clinical applicability of this agent and its relationship to other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for treatment of osteoporosis are also discussed. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1996-December 2004) was completed, along with a review of information obtained from the manufacturer, NPS Pharmaceuticals. Key search terms included parathyroid hormone, PTH (1-84), and ALX 111. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were selected based on their relevance and availability. Pertinent information, including objectives, design, demographics, outcomes, adverse events, dosing strategies, and therapeutic controversies, was extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: PTH (1-84) is being developed for treatment of osteoporosis. Recent studies have shown that, when administered intermittently as a subcutaneous injection, PTH (1-84) produces an increase in bone mineral density and prevents vertebral fractures. The fact that this agent contains the C-terminal region of PTH may differentiate it from PTH (1-34), teriparatide, which is approved by the FDA for treatment of osteoporosis. Further trials are necessary to determine the role of PTH (1-84) in combination with other treatments for osteoporosis and/or the order in which PTH (1-84) is given with these other agents. There are currently no comparative trials with other osteoporosis treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS: PTH (1-84), when given intermittently as a subcutaneous injection, appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment option for osteoporosis. Further trials are needed to determine its specific place in therapy compared with other treatment options.

Aged↗

Present and future pharmacotherapy for osteoporosis.

Although neither calcium nor vitamin D has been shown to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women alone, the combination does. Both calcium and vitamin D are commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis. The estrogens and raloxifene both prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women, and the estrogens probably also decrease the risk of first fracture. There is good evidence that raloxifene prevents further fractures in postmenopausal women who have already had fractures and some evidence that estrogen does as well. Calcitonin increases bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women and men with idiopathic osteoporosis, and also reduces the risk of new fractures in osteoporotic women. The bisphosphonate alendronate prevents bone loss and reduces fractures in healthy and osteoporotic postmenopausal women, and in osteoporotic men. Risedronate is more potent and has fewer upper gastrointestinal side effects than alendronate, and reduces the incidence of fractures in osteoporotic women. Intermittent use of the potent bisphosphonate zoledronate also increases bone mineral density and may become an alternative in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. All of the agents discussed above prevent bone resorption, whereas teriparatide increases bone formation and is effective in the treatment of osteoporotic women and men. In the treatment of secondary osteoporosis associated with the use of glucocorticoids to treat inflammation or prevent rejection after transplantation, the bisphosphonates are effective. The agents that have undergone some clinical trialing as new or alternative drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis include tibolone, new SERMs, androgens, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and stontium ranelate. The targets/drugs that are being developed to inhibit bone resorption include the OPG/ RANKL/RANK system, cathepsin K inhibitors, vitronectin receptor antagonists, estren, the interleukin-6 and gp130 system, cytokines and growth factors. New drugs/targets to promote bone formation include the commonly used lipid-lowering statins and the calcilytic release of PTH.

Aging↗