Osteoporosis--from hormonal replacement therapy to bisphosphonates and beyond: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the old, current, and emerging agents in pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis.


METHODS
Published original research work and reviews from 1993 to 31 December 2006 were searched in English on subjects related to epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis.


METHODS
Only articles that emphasise on management.


METHODS
Online and manual library searches done.


RESULTS
Data added up and summarised.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoporosis is a serious public health issue. The past 10 years has seen great advances in our understanding of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment, and further advances are rapidly being made. Bisphosphonates represent the biggest advance in the treatment of osteoporosis, and will probably remain the mainstay of therapy. At the same time other diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including biological agents, are likely to become more widespread. Combination therapy is generally not recommended due to paucity of data concerning antifracture effectiveness, and, there is currently no definitive answer on the length of treatment with antiresoptive agents.
Oyoo
G O
GO
Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya.
Kariuki
J G
JG
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004164:Diphosphonates; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D012968:Etidronic Acid; D019386:Alendronate