Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

    Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2003 Sep;1(2):59-65.

    Review of guidelines for testing and treatment of osteoporosis.

    Geusens PP.

    Biomedical Research Institute, Limburgs Universitair Centrum Belgium, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, P Debyelaan 25, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. piet.geusens@ping.be

    Our knowledge on diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis has steadily increased during the past decade. Several guidelines on treatment of osteoporosis are now available. Although there is heterogeneity in these recommendations, there are several common suggestions found. Case finding is advocated in all; however, it is generally acknowledged that further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of case-finding strategies. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis. The use of the T score is different for diagnostic purposes and for treatment decisions. Other bone measurement techniques are proposed as risk evaluation or as alternatives when dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is not available. Bone markers are not considered for evaluation in clinical practice. Treatment options include general measures on lifestyle, fall prevention, calcium and vitamin D supplements, hormone therapy, raloxifene, and bisphosphonates. Consistent recommendations are found mostly for raloxifene in the prevention of vertebral fractures and for alendronate and risedronate in the prevention of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, including hip fractures.

    PMID: 16036066 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    Supplemental Content

    Click here to read

    Patient drug information

    • Raloxifene (Evista®)

      Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (change of life; end of menstrual periods). Raloxifene is al...

    • Alendronate (Fosamax®, Fosamax Plus D®)

      Alendronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause ('change of life,' end of menstrual periods) and to treat...

    • Risedronate (Actonel®, Actonel® with Calcium)

      Risedronate is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause ('change of life,' end of menstrual periods) and in men a...