scholarly journals MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Atypical femoral fractures: risks and benefits of long-term treatment of osteoporosis with anti-resorptive therapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. R81-R87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Adler

Modern osteoporosis treatment began in the mid-1990s with the approval of amino-bisphosphonates, anti-resorptive agents that have been shown to decrease osteoporotic fracture risk by about half. In 2005, the first cases of atypical femoral fractures (AFF), occurring in the shaft of the femur, were reported. Since then, more cases have been found, leading to great concern among patients and a dramatic decrease in bisphosphonate prescribing. The pathogenesis and incidence of AFF are reviewed herein. Management and an approach to prevention or early detection of AFF are also provided. Denosumab, a more recently approved anti-resorptive medication has also been associated with AFF. Long-term management of osteoporosis and prevention of fracture are challenging in light of this serious but uncommon side effect, yet with an aging population osteoporotic fracture is destined to increase in frequency.

2019 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. R29-R35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente L Langdahl

Osteoporosis is a common chronic disease and therefore a long-term management plan based on disease severity, comorbidities, other pharmacological treatments, gender, age and patient preferences is necessary. Consideration of treatment breaks may be included in the long-term management plan if the patient has been treated with a bisphosphonate, the disease is less severe, the response to treatment has been satisfactory and the risk of future fracture is estimated to be low. This perspective reviews the current evidence for long-term treatment with bisphosphonates and off treatment effects. Approaches to decision making and monitoring of treatment breaks are discussed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 746
Author(s):  
Francisco Flores Santos ◽  
José Pinheiro da Silva ◽  
Paulo Felicíssimo

Introduction: Long-term treatment with bisphosphonates has been associated to atypical femoral fractures whose features are now clearly defined.Clinical Cases: We present two cases of female patients under bisphosphonate treatment for over 10 years who were admitted to our institution for subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures after low-energy trauma. They presented, respectively, a transverse and a short oblique femoral fracture, with thickening of the lateral cortex. They underwent surgical treatment obtaining good functional and imaging result.Discussion: These cases fulfill the established criteria for atypical femoral fracture, thereby illustrating a serious adverse event of long-term treatment with bisphosphonates. Such relationship has still not been clearly established by scientific evidence. However, its effectiveness in preventing osteoporotic fractures is well proven.Conclusion: The atypical femoral fractures are possibly a serious adverse effect of the long-term treatment with bisphosphonates. Scientific evidence still supports its use, however, the physician must be aware of these events and closely follow-up these patients.


Author(s):  
Angela J. Shepherd ◽  
Juliet M. Mckee

Osteoporotic fractures are major causes of suffering and death. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the standard of care for diagnosis (T-score ≤ –2.5) of osteoporosis. Prevention of fractures requires addressing bone and muscle strength and balance. Physical exercise, good nutrition (fruits, vegetables, adequate calcium), adequate vitamin intake (C, D, and K), tobacco cessation, and no more than moderate alcohol intake enhance bone health and decrease fracture risk. Long-term treatment with glucocorticoids, certain drugs used in breast or prostate cancer treatment, and proton pump inhibitors used for gastroesophageal reflux disease may increase the risk for osteoporosis. Pharmacologically, bisphosphonates are the mainstay of osteoporosis treatment.


2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon B. Routhouska ◽  
Pranav B. Sheth ◽  
Neil J. Korman

Background: Infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor α antagonist, has recently been shown to be successful for the short-term treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in multiple case reports. Objective: The goal of this case series was to assess the efficacy of the longer-term management of GPP with infliximab. Methods: Three patients with severe GPP were followed to assess the efficacy of long-term treatment with infliximab. Results: Infliximab therapy was more efficacious with infusion every 6 to 8 weeks in combination with methotrexate. Conclusion: Infliximab may be efficacious for some patients for the long-term management of GPP. Maintaining a strict infliximab infusion schedule and concomitant methotrexate therapy may decrease infusion reactions and increase efficacy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-373
Author(s):  
Mehmet Okçu ◽  
Fatmanur Aybala Koçak ◽  
Samet Sancar Kaya ◽  
Figen Tuncay

Bisphosphonates are commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is a well-known adverse effect of bisphosphonate use. The importance of genetic factors has been demonstrated in bone quality, bone turnover, and in the response to osteoporosis treatment. Herein, we present two cases of bilateral AFFs after bisphosphonate use for a short period of time in members of the same family (mother and her daughter) and discuss genetic predisposition to bisphosphonate-induced AFFs in the light of literature data.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (S15) ◽  
pp. 4-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin B. Keller

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is almost exclusively recurrent. The vast majority of patients who experience one episode of MDD will eventually experience at least one more episode during their lifetime. The recurrent nature of MDD increases the burden to both the individual and society. Hence, it is imperative that treatment strategies focus on achieving remission acutely, as well as maintaining of remission and preventing recurrence. The articles in this supplement are based on presentations and a dialogue among a group of experts who convened for a roundtable discussion on improving long-term outcomes with antidepressant therapy.Improving long-term treatment of MDD begins with understanding the clinical course of recurrent depression and the ability to recognize those patients who are at greatest risk for recurrence. James H. Kocsis, MD, reviews the course of recurrent depression, emphasizing the tendency for it to progressively worsen. He also discusses patient characteristics and other risk factors for recurrence as well as current recommendations for long-term management of recurrent depression.Although long-term antidepressant maintenance treatment studies are somewhat limited in number, they provide the evidence base that shapes existing guidelines for long-term management of recurrent depression. Michael E. Thase, MD, examines this evidence for the different classes of antidepressants. In addition, Thase reviews evidence for the efficacy of psychotherapy and discusses its potentially important role in long-term depression management.


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