title: Ibandronate: is there an effect on nonvertebral fractures?
abstract: Although ibandronate improves suboptimal compliance in patients receiving weekly bisphosphonates, there is a concern about its effect on the reduction of nonvertebral fractures. In the era of evidence-based medicine, randomized clinical trials are considered the highest quality evidence which guide us to the best clinical decision. Nevertheless, if level 1 evidence is not available, as is the case with ibandronate, evidences of lower levels could be used to draw relevant clinical decision. In this article, we discussed data from clinical trials (subgroup analyses of high-risk patients, meta-analysis of clinical trials) which suggested significant effect of ibandronate on the risk reduction of nonvertebral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zagreb, Kispaticeva 12, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia. dkastelan@inet.hr
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kastelan
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korsic
authors.forename: Tonko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vlak
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid