Women whose bone scans show they're at risk for osteoporosis are often prescribed drugs called bisphosphonates. They slow down the turnover of bone... reducing the risk for breaks.
But those medications -- Fosamax, Boniva and others -- come with a warning that they've been linked to what doctors call "atypical fractures" -- sudden breaks of the femur that have nothing to do with osteoporosis.
It's heightened anxiety among patients on the drugs... but now... new research shows that overall risk is small.
"This is good news..."
Dr. Margaret Gourlay treats women at risk for osteoporosis at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She says the new study of more than a thousand women shows the benefits of bisphosphonates outweigh any risk. "Those atypical fractures occurred at a low rate, they're uncommon and overall they probably at this point will not change our prescribing practice for the bisphosphonates."
She estimates that for every 1 of these atypical fractures... as many as 100 broken hips may be prevented. And a hip fracture can be deadly for the frailest of patients. "Up to 20% of people can die in the first 6 months after a hip fracture."
The National Osteoporosis Foundation also applauds the new study -- pointing out -- the usual ways to keep bones strong -- calcium, vitamin d and exercise... sometimes aren't enough for those most at risk for osteoporosis.
The study was largely limited to white women... so the findings might not apply to men or other ethnic groups.
