Effect of alendronate on bone mineral density and incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A meta-analysis of published studies
Arboleya, L.R.; Morales, A.; Fiter, J.
Medicina Clinica 114 Suppl. 2: 79-84
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 10916812 Document Number: 513381
To perform a systematic review, completed with a meta-analysis, of the published evidences about the effect of oral alendronate on bone mineral density and the incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. We search for all alendronate clinical trials in postmenopausal women with low bone mass which were randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, with a duration of one year or more and with bone mineral density measurement and/or fractures as outcomes. We used the weighted average of individual study results as an estimation of the global effect. Seven studies meet all the inclusion criteria. Relative Risks (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI 95%) for the combined effect under fixed effects model were: RR 0.54 (CI 95%: 0.45 to 0.66) for vertebral fractures, RR 0.81 (CI 95%: 0.72 to 0.92) for non vertebral fractures and RR 0.64 (CI 95%: 0.40 to 1.01) for hip fractures. Our results demonstrate that alendronate reduces the risk of vertebral, non vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. This meta-analysis allows the classification of alendronate anti-fracture evidences in the highest level.