Current and emerging treatment options for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microarohitectural deterioration of bony tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures create a heavy economic burden, with an estimated annual cost to the healthcare system of approximately $17 billion. Currently, bisphosphonates are considered first-line therapy for the majority of patients with osteoporosis. Other current treatment options that can be used include calcium, vitamin D, estrogen plus progesterone, and calcitonin. There has been considerable progress in the development of new agents for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, including newer selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), strontium ranelate, denosumab, and parathyroid hormone (1-84). Although the preliminary results from ongoing studies of these agents have been promising, further data are needed to assess the potential efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]