title: Changes in bone remodelling and antifracture efficacy of intermittent bisphosphonate therapy: implications from clinical studies with ibandronate.
abstract: Bisphosphonates reduce the rate of bone resorption and bone remodelling. Given daily, they decrease the risk of fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis. When bisphosphonates were given at extended drug-free intervals this antifracture efficacy was generally not seen. This may be due to the different pattern of bone remodelling changes. Data from randomised clinical studies of ibandronate, given orally or intravenously, at different doses and for variable time intervals to women with osteoporosis were examined to explore the relationship between intermittent bisphosphonate therapy, changes in bone resorption and fracture risk. The magnitude of the reduction of the rate of bone resorption at the end of the drug-free interval rather than its fluctuation pattern after bisphosphonate administration determines antifracture efficacy, provided that these fluctuations occur within the premenopausal range. Prolongation of the drug-free interval beyond 2 weeks should be compensated by a dose higher than the cumulative daily dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands. M.V.Iken@lumc.nl
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Papapoulos
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Schimmer
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid