title: Osteoporosis treatment: an evidence-based approach.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a disease that results in decreased bone mass and quality of bone, which may lead to fracture. Clinicians need to counsel individuals on appropriate intake of calcium and vitamin D, increasing weight-bearing exercise, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding smoking. A variety of nonhormonal pharmacological options are available for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including bisphosphonates, calcitonin (Miacalcin®), raloxifene (Evista®), teriparatide (Forteo®), and denosumab (Prolia®). The National Osteoporosis Foundation and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists have recently published new guidelines, and it is important for clinicians to be familiar with the evidence behind each of these treatment modalities. It is paramount for nurses to make evidence-based, cost-effective decisions about pharmacological therapy based on individual patient-specific factors.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. raguccik@musc.edu
authors.forename: Kelly R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ragucci
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shrader
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents