title: How long should women with postmenopausal osteoporosis be treated with a bisphosphonate?
abstract: Bisphosphonates are very frequently prescribed to women suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis with or without fragility fractures. The present review was aimed to update the available information on the most efficient treatment duration. Studies on bisphosphonate treatment duration were identified by Medline up to January 2013. Bisphosphonates are very effective in the short as well as in the medium-term. However, the optimal duration of use has not been determined yet. Therefore, this review summarizes the long-term effects of bisphosphonates on surrogate parameters of fracture prevention, bone mineral density measurements, and bone turnover markers. An initial treatment period of 3-5 years is recommended. Then, the patient has to be re-evaluated for fracture risk, which depends on fracture status as well as on other health issues. Beyond that, life style factors such as regular physical activity as well as a sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D or, if necessary supplementation of calcium and/or vitamin D play an essential part in fracture prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Katharina.Kerschan-Schindl@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerschan-Schindl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haschka
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Obermayer-Pietsch
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gasser
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Dimai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fahrleitner-Pammer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dobnig
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roschger
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Preisinger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klaushofer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Resch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pietschmann
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004164:Diphosphonates