Plain-language Guides Compare Osteoporosis Treatments

Newswise — A new pair of plain language guides from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) draws on unbiased scientific evidence to compare medications for the treatment of osteoporosis, including the treatments' clinical benefits, risks and cost estimates.

The consumer and clinician guides include basic facts about osteoporosis (also known as low bone density) and the medications commonly used in treatment. Among the medications analyzed are six bisphosphonates " Fosamax, Didronel, Boniva, Aredia, Actonel and Zometa " plus alternative treatments such as estrogen, calcitonin (a man made hormone), calcium, vitamin D, testosterone, parathyroid hormone, and selective estrogen receptors modules (SERM). Both guides include estimated monthly costs for the medications.

Osteoporosis Treatments That Help Prevent Broken Bones, A Guide for Women After Menopause, and Fracture Prevention Treatments for Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis, a guide for clinicians, can be found at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. Free copies may be ordered by calling 1-800-358-9295, or by e-mailing ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov. Organizations are encouraged to post links to the guides on Web sites or in newsletters.

The guides are the latest in a series of AHRQ publications that help clinicians and patients make the best possible treatment choices. Others guides produced by AHRQ compare treatments for diabetes, depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), high blood pressure, narrowed kidney arteries and osteoarthritis. All guides will be available in Spanish.

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A new pair of plain-language guides from AHRQ draws on unbiased scientific evidence to compare medications for the treatment of osteoporosis, including the treatments' clinical benefits, risks and cost estimates.