Treatment of osteoporosis: whom, how and for how long?

Abstract

Identification of patients at risk for fragility fractures is the first important step in the management of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates have been the mainstay of treatment for decades, whereas denosumab and selective oestrogen receptor modulators are other available licensed antiresorptive drugs. Currently teriparatide is the only approved anabolic agent in Europe, while abaloparatide and romosozumab are awaiting approval and might be available in the near future. For bisphosphonates, current guidance suggests an initial treatment course of 3-5 years and more prolonged treatment should be pursued in patients with higher fracture risk. For patients with lower risk, a period off treatment might be considered after this initial course to minimize the risks associated with more prolonged treatment, but this only applies to bisphosphonates and not denosumab or teriparatide. This review discusses strategies for case finding of patients at risk, currently available treatment options, recent developments in pharmacological management and duration of treatment.