Efficacy of Bisphosphonates in Reducing Fracture Risk Among Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis

Cureus. 2024 Nov 26;16(11):e74542. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74542. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Postmenopausal women are often affected by osteoporosis, a disorder that lowers bone density, increases the risk of fractures, and has a major negative influence on quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of bisphosphonates in reducing fracture risk among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis by analyzing their impact across various fracture sites, treatment durations, and patient subgroups.

Methodology: A retrospective cohort research was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022 at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar. Women 50 years of age and older who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis (BMD T-score < -2.5) and receiving bisphosphonates for at least a year were included in the research. We gathered information on treatment adherence, fracture history, and demographics. SPSS version 25 was used to conduct statistical studies, such as logistic regression and paired t-tests.

Results: A total of 323 participants were included, with a mean age of 65.40 ± 8.20 years. The incidence of new fractures decreased significantly from 121 patients (37.48%) before therapy to 48 patients (14.85%) post-therapy (p < 0.0001), demonstrating the efficacy of bisphosphonates in fracture prevention. Notably, the most common fracture types were vertebral fractures in 49 patients (15.18%) and hip fractures in 42 patients (12.99%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.09) and baseline BMD T-score (OR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.90) were significantly associated with fracture risk reduction, highlighting the importance of these factors in treatment outcomes.

Conclusion: The significance of bisphosphonates in clinical therapy is highlighted by their ability to successfully lower fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Keywords: bisphosphonates; bone mineral density; fracture risk; osteoporosis; postmenopausal women.