Abstract Title:

WITHDRAWN: Etidronate for treating and preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Abstract Source:

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006(1):CD003376. Epub 2007 Jul 18. PMID: 17636719

Abstract Author(s):

A Cranney, J D Adachi, L Griffith, G Guyatt, N Krolicki, V A Robinson, B J Shea, G Wells

Article Affiliation:

Ottawa Hospital, Division of Rheumatology, 1053 Carling Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Y 4E9. [email protected]

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a clinical syndrome of reduced bone mass and increased fracture susceptibility. There are now a number of options, including etidronate which can decrease the risk of fractures. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the efficacy of etidronate on bone density, fractures and toxicity in postmenopausal women. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE from 1966 to December 1998, examined citations of relevant articles, and the proceedings of international osteoporosis meetings. We contacted osteoporosis investigators to identify additional studies, primary authors, and pharmaceutical industry sources for unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included thirteen trials (with 1010 participants) that randomized women to etidronate or an alternative (placebo or calcium and/or vitamin D) and measured bone density for at least one year. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: For each trial, three independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality and abstracted data. MAIN RESULTS: The data suggested a reduction in vertebral fractures with a pooled relative risk of 0.60% (95% CI 0.41 to 0.88). There was no effect on non-vertebral fractures (pooled relative risk 1.00, (95% CI 0.68 to 1.42)). Etidronate, relative to control, increased bone density after three years of treatment in the lumbar spine by 4.27% (95% CI 2.66 to 5.88), in the femoral neck by 2.19% (95% CI 0.43, 3.95) and in the total body by 0.97% (95% CI 0.39, 1.55). Effects were larger at 4 years, though the number of patients followed was much smaller. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Etidronate increases bone density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. The pooled estimates of fracture reduction with etidronate are consistent with a reduction in vertebral fractures, but no effect on non-vertebral fractures.

Study Type : Review

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