Duration of Bisphosphonate Therapy for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates are considered first line therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis among post-menopausal women.They have proven efficacious in the reduction of fractures related to low bone mineral density.In the last few years, severe adverse effects have been linked to the long-term use of bisphosphonates, including osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fracture.In spite the fact that the aforementioned side effects are concerning for patients and providers, these complications are extremely rare compared to the prevalence of fractures among post-menopausal women.Currently, there are no definite guidelines for the duration of treatment with these medications.This paper evaluates the treatment plan for a 72-year-old female with osteoporosis.While she is considered a high-risk patient due to a recent fracture and a T-score of -2.6, she is not on anti-osteoporosis medication.Through this report, selection of a bisphosphonate drug and duration of treatment for this particular patient will be addressed.In order to better understand how to manage osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonates, a review of the literature was conducted.MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched.Articles from peer-reviewed journals, systematic reviews, retrospective studies and current guidelines from bone health organizations were reviewed.This research allows for a much clearer understanding of the association between bisphosphonates and severe adverse effects, and their role in the prevention and treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis among post-menopausal female patients, as well as their role in the reduction of fractures.