Endocrine Society Releases New Osteoporosis Guideline

The Endocrine Society has issued a new guideline that addresses the pharmacological management of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.

Recommendations include:

• Postmenopausal women with high fracture risk, especially those who have experienced a recent fracture, are recommended to receive pharmacological therapies.
• Biphosphonates (including alendronate, resendronate, zolendronic acid, and ibandronate) are recommended as initial treatment to reduce fracture risk among postmenopausal women.
  • It is important to note that ibandronate is not recommended for the reduction of nonvertebral or hip fracture risks.
• It is recommended that fracture risk be reassessed every 3 to 5 years among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are taking bisphosphonates.
  • Upon evaluation, it is recommended that women with high fracture risk remain on bisphosphonates, and that women with low to moderate risk of fractures be considered for a “bisphosphonate holiday” (defined as discontinuing bisphosphonates temporarily for up to 5 years).
• Denosumab is recommended as an alternative initial treatment for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and a high risk for osteoporotic fractures.

The full guideline is available here.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Eastell R, Rosen CJ, Black DM, et al. Pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: An Endocrine Society* clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(5):1-28. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-00221.