- What We Think We Know About Osteoporosis
Most American adults don’t know as much as they should -- or think they do -- about osteoporosis. In a small but in-depth study reported in the Journal of Rheumatology (Volume 32, page 673), researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with 15 older adults, asking a series of questions designed to illuminate the depth of their understanding about osteoporosis. Of the 15 participants, 11 were women; the mean age was 75.5 years.
While most of the participants identified osteoporosis as a serious condition and could describe it as a thinning, weakness or loss of bone, most didn’t have a clear understanding of the clinical consequences of osteoporosis. Moreover, many did not perceive themselves to be at personal risk of developing osteoporosis, even though some had already experienced fractures.
In addition, some of the participants mistakenly believed that osteoporosis has clear warning symptoms. As for prevention and treatment, self-reported calcium and vitamin D intake was low, and many of the participants expressed reservations about taking prescription medications because of concerns over cost, side effects and interactions with their current medications. The researchers are using the results to develop a patient-education program that will be evaluated in a future study.
- Encouraging News for Women With Osteoporosis -- More Evidence Strontium Ranelate Prevents Fractures
Strontium ranelate, a new drug for osteoporosis, significantly reduces the risk of hip and non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In the Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis (TROPOS) study, a double-blind, randomized study, more than 5,000 postmenopausal women at several European study sites received either two grams of strontium ranelate or a placebo every day for three years.
At the end of the study period, the risk of incurring a non-vertebral fracture was 16% lower in the strontium ranelate group. The risk of a major fracture was 19% lower for all other sites, including hip, pelvis, ribs and wrists. And the drug reduced the hip fracture risk by 36% in a high-risk subgroup -- women most likely to develop a hip fracture because of their age and low bone density T scores at the femoral neck.
Strontium ranelate is not yet approved in the United States, but is sold abroad under the name Protelos. It has a unique action in that it appears to decrease bone resorption and stimulate bone formation at the same time. This action rebalances bone turnover in favor of the formation of new and strong bone. The study was reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Volume 90, page 2816).
