Recommendations for monitoring antiresorptive therapies in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Antiresorptive agents are effective in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, provided they are taken as directed. Regular physical examinations including height measurements may fail to ensure optimal compliance. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is indispensable for determining whether treatment is warranted. The measurement can be repeated after 2 years at least, provided quality-control procedures are adequate. BMD changes over time should be compared to the least significant change calculated from the in vivo BMD reproducibility at the measurement center. However, BMD changes are not correlated with the fracture risk reduction induced by antiresorptive treatment. Biochemical markers for bone turnover can be monitored after only 3-6 months provided steps are taken to control for intraindividual variability. They are useful when patient compliance is poor or the treatment response inadequate.
Roux
Christian
C
Groupe de Recherche et d'Information sur les Ostéoporoses (Task Force for Research and Information on Osteoporosis), Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg St Jacques, 75014, Paris, France. christian.roux@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr
Garnero
Patrick
P
Thomas
Thierry
T
Sabatier
Jean-Pierre
JP
Orcel
Philippe
P
Audran
Maurice
M
D015415:Biomarkers; D015519:Bone Density; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D015415:Biomarkers; D004164:Diphosphonates