(dailyRx)
Denosumab can increase bone mass in post menopausal women, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco.
Postmenopausal women have markedly reduced levels of estrogen, leading to loss of bone and damage to bone quality. Currently, there are more than 10 million people–8 million of whom are women–with osteoporosis who are susceptible to fractures. Those over the age of 50 are at greatest risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering related fractures. In this age group, one in two women will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in her life.
Researchers recently compared the effectiveness and safety of denosumab, a biologic inhibitor of the activation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts that is administered just twice a year, with alendronate (Fosamax), a drug commonly used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
They followed 1,189 postmenopausal women with low bone mass over one year