Reconsidering the Benefits of Osteoporosis Treatment: The Case of Bisphosphonates

Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue associated with morbidity and mortality risk due to fractures and functional decline. Clinical guidelines generally agree that when osteoporosis is identified, pharmacologic treatment should be initiated to lower fracture risk. Despite the consensus, evidence shows that many patients with osteoporosis are not treated, leading some clinicians and professional organizations to call for action to increase use of osteoporosis medications. Guidelines and reports of inadequate treatment may give clinicians and patients the impression that the benefits of medications for osteoporosis are substantial and well-supported, but limitations in the clinical evidence are under-explored in the medical literature and call into question broader application of clinical guidelines.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research