[Effect of alendronate on bone mineral density and incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A meta-analysis of published studies].
BACKGROUND
To perform a systematic review, completed with a meta-analysis, of the published evidences about the effect of oral alendronate on bone mineral density and the incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.


METHODS
We search for all alendronate clinical trials in postmenopausal women with low bone mass which were randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, with a duration of one year or more and with bone mineral density measurement and/or fractures as outcomes. We used the weighted average of individual study results as an estimation of the global effect.


RESULTS
Seven studies meet all the inclusion criteria. Relative Risks (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI 95%) for the combined effect under fixed effects model were: RR 0.54 (CI 95%: 0.45 to 0.66) for vertebral fractures, RR 0.81 (CI 95%: 0.72 to 0.92) for non vertebral fractures and RR 0.64 (CI 95%: 0.40 to 1.01) for hip fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that alendronate reduces the risk of vertebral, non vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. This meta-analysis allows the classification of alendronate anti-fracture evidences in the highest level.
Unidad de Reumatología, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón.
L R
LR
Arboleya
A
A
Morales
J
J
Fiter
D019386:Alendronate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D019386:Alendronate