Reduce the incidence of bone fracture in women with osteopenia with zoledronate
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 29th, 2023
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Bisphosphonate, such as zoledronate, is widely used to prevent fractures in those who are experiencing osteoporosis by disrupting the bone resorption process of osteoclasts. Thus, it is possible that bisphosphonate can slow down the rate of bone degradation in patients with osteopenia. Thus, the Health Research Council of New Zealand had sponsored a study, with medication provided by Novartis, to investigate the possible usage of zoledronate to prevent fractures in patients with osteopenia.
The study included 2000 postmenopausal women whose ages are higher than 65 years old. Bone density of the study participants were quantified and scaled using T-score, and the participant’s total hip T-score ranges between -1.0 and -2.5. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either zoledronate or placebo. Four doses of 5 mg zoledronate was infused intravenously throughout a 18-month interval. After 6 years of follow-up, the study found that zoledronate helped reduce the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with osteopenia by 37%. In addition, zoledronate also helps reduce the risk of height loss, vertebral fractures, and non-vertebral fractures.
The study included 2000 postmenopausal women whose ages are higher than 65 years old. Bone density of the study participants were quantified and scaled using T-score, and the participant’s total hip T-score ranges between -1.0 and -2.5. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either zoledronate or placebo. Four doses of 5 mg zoledronate was infused intravenously throughout a 18-month interval. After 6 years of follow-up, the study found that zoledronate helped reduce the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with osteopenia by 37%. In addition, zoledronate also helps reduce the risk of height loss, vertebral fractures, and non-vertebral fractures.