Private MD News
Home |
News |
General Health
Long-term use of osteoporosis medication linked to increased risk of thigh fracture
Updated: 2010-03-12 19:48:04 CST Category: General Health
by Alex Schoenfeld
A new study has suggested that long-term use of osteoporosis medication may be associated with unusual fractures of the thigh bone.
According to the research, which was recently presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' annual meeting in New Orleans, osteoporosis drugs, known as bisphosphonates, can initially strengthen bones, but may also contribute to brittle bone disease after a prolonged period of use.
"Bisphosphonates are a good first start," said study co-author, Melvin Rosenwasser, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "Used beyond a certain point, yet to be determined, they may actually be bad."
In the study, Rosenwasser and his colleagues monitored 112 post-menopausal women who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Of that group, a total of 62 respondents took bisphosphonates, while the others took calcium and vitamin D supplements only, Health Day News reports.
After four years of follow-up, the researchers evaluated each patient's bone scan and found that long-term use of osteoporosis medication was associated with a significantly increased buckling ratio, which reflects a higher risk of fracture.
Rosenwasser concluded that bisphosphonates should not be abandoned, but after a certain point of use, women should consider switching to a different kind of drug.

Related Articles from Private MD:
Share on Facebook
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I
Allergy Testing
Anemia and RBC disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Bariatric Lab Testing
Blood and Blood Diseases
Breast
Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
Celiac Disease Testing
Chlamydia
Coagulation and blood clotting disorders
Colon
Diabetes
DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing
Drug Screening
Environmental Toxin Testing
Female Specific Tests
Gastrointestinal Diseases
General Health
General Wellness
Heart Health and Cholesterol
Herpes
HIV
HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos
Hormones and Metabolism
Infectious Diseases
Infertility Testing-Male
Infertitlity Hormone Testing
Kidney Diseases
Leukemia and WBC disorders
Liver
Liver Diseases
Lyme Disease
Male Specific Tests
Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis
Organ Specific Testing
Ovarian
Prostate
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Thyroid Diseases
Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click
here to get started or call us toll-free at
1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist
you.