Osteoporosis News

Bisphosphonates, a class of drugs developed to prevent the sometimes devastating fractures associated with osteoporosis, may be associated with atypical femur fractures in certain patients, based on several recent studies. With these findings, a clearer picture has emerged of the women and men taking bisphosphonates who are at the greatest risk for these atypical femoral fractures. But, more investigations are needed.

Researchers from England recommend that physicians ask elderly patients for their fall history to gauge the risk for future fractures, according to a recent study in Bone.

California researchers have found that knee cartilage degeneration can occur in adults with both high and low levels of activity.

When administered potassium citrate in a background of vitamin D and calcium supplements, elderly patients with normal bone mass experienced improvements in bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture, according to study data published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Swedish researchers contend that digital X-ray radiogrammetry, or DXR, used in standard hand radiographs to measure bone mineral density (BMD) may also be useful for predicting and preventing hip fractures.

Belgian researchers found that a medication usually reserved for osteoporosis could delay knee osteoarthritis progression, according to a recent presentation.

LAS VEGAS — Patients with IBS are more likely to develop osteoporosis and are at increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures, according to data presented at the 2012 American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting.

Emergency room physicians are more likely to screen and treat for osteoporosis in elderly patients with spinal fractures when they are presented with osteoporosis treatment guidelines, according to research published in The American Journal of Medicine.

Results from the phase 2 study on an investigational cathepsin inhibitor currently in development showed that the medication increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women who were previously treated with a popular bisphosphonate.

Cortical and trabecular bone are both risk factors for proximal femur fractures in elderly men, according to this study.