Here are six things to know from the study:
1. After the 1980s, drug companies supporting guidelines and tools to assess the risk of osteoporosis, and identify candidates for treatment, which the San Antonio Express News calls “a classic campaign of disease-mongering, or aggressively expanding the population eligible for treatment.”
2. Researchers believe that identifying and treating patients with fragile bones is a cost-effective way to prevent fractures, especially hip fractures.
3. Current fracture risk predictors have at least doubled the number of eligible candidates for drug treatment. According to the report, under U.S. guidelines, about 75 percent of white women aged over 65 years have become candidates for drug treatment.
4. A meta-analysis shows that 175 postmenopausal women with bone fragility must be treated for about three years to prevent one hip fracture.
5. There are harmful aspects of overdiagnosis, according to researchers. Being labeled as at risk of fracture imposes a psychological burden, and drug treatment is associated with events such as gastrointestinal problems, atypical femoral fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
6. Researchers found that hip fractures are mostly caused by falls in older, more frail adults. “Few studies on preventive pharmacotherapy included adults aged ≥80, but evidence suggests no treatment benefit,” said the study. “Evidence is also sparse on treatment of men and optimum duration of treatment.”
More articles on orthopedics:
New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society affiliates with OPEIU Guild 45 — 4 quick facts
Stretching before exercise to reduce joint pain — 4 things to know
Wellmont Orthopedic Residency Program sees 1st group of graduates: 5 quick notes
