Incidence and avoidance of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with use of bisphosphonates

This information has been prepared by the National Prescribing Service (reproduced with permission) to provide doctors and pharmacists with information on the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with use of bisphosphonates. This is provided following requests for information sources resulting from a television report on Tuesday 11 December 2007.

 NPS - osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with use of bisphosphonates 36.59 Kb  

For more information about osteonecrosis of the jaw see:

Bone Health for Life Website

Consumers: Treatment - Drug Therapies  or

Health Professionals: Management - Drug Therapies 

Content updated December 13, 2007

Comment from Professor Helena Teede

Following confirmatory studies, women have again been advised not to start hormone therapy in their older age, many years beyond menopause. Another large study to report on hormone therapy use in older women, the WISDOM study published 12 July, has confirmed that combined estrogen and progestin results in a small increase in the risk of heart attacks and blood clots.¹

This is now the 10th large study to confirm that if hormone therapy is started in older women aiming for prevention of disease, risks outweigh the benefits.

This information is not relevant for the majority of women considering hormone therapy or taking hormone therapy at the time of menopause for symptom relief.
 
As based on extensive evidence, women at menopause can take low-dose hormone therapy short term without a significant increase in risks and with substantial benefit in symptom relief and quality of life.

Note: Hormone therapy (HT) is also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) 

Comment from Professor Henry Burger*

Another report was published in The Lancet on April 19, 2007 from the Million Women Study (MWS), a UK national study of women's health, involving around one million women aged 50 and over.¹ The main focus of the study relates to the effects of hormone therapy use (also know as hormone replacement therapy). This latest report addresses ovarian cancer and hormone therapy. 

Men warned about osteoporosis

A McMaster University researcher is alerting men and their doctors that osteoporosis isn't just a woman's problem but that the bone-wasting disease can severely afflict them, too.

To overcome this common perception, Dr. Aliya A. Khan, a professor of clinical medicine, led a group of five Canadian experts in the development of guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of osteoporosis in men. Their paper appears in the January 30 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Background on 'bio-identicals'

Women and health professionals are constantly being given information about ‘hormone imbalance’ and how to deal with menopause ‘naturally’. All this information should be carefully evaluated, giving consideration to its accuracy, the reputation and the vested financial interests of the group promoting the information.

See also 'Bio-identical' hormones: what you need to know