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PHILADELPHIA, Sep 21, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. scientists say skeletal microdamage from bisphosphonate treatment might not continue to accumulate after the first year of treatment.
Bisphosphonates are the most common class of drugs used for the treatment of osteoporosis because of their demonstrated effect on fracture reduction. But the incidence of microcracks -- small cracks in the skeleton -- has been shown to increase with bisphosphonate treatment.
That knowledge has led to concerns regarding the potential long-term adverse effects of the agents. But researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have shown continued use of alendronate (a bisphosphonate) is not associated with continued accumulation of microdamage.
The scientists -- Matt Allen and David Burr -- found there was no increase in vertebral microcracks after 3 years of alendronate treatment in lab animals, compared with those treated for 1 year.
Allen and Burr say their results suggest microcrack accumulation is greatest during the early course of alendronate treatment -- a finding that's an encouraging sign for such drugs' long-term safety.
The research was reported Thursday in Philadelphia during the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
