Osteoporosis drug linked to very low risk of jaw disease
A drug, which is commonly prescribed to treat patients with osteoporosis, contributes to a very low risk of jaw disease, a study has revealed.
The drug is associated with a very slightly elevated risk of the jaw condition osteonecrosis, which is a rare but potentially very serious condition. The study was funded by the National Institutes for Health and research was carried out by a team at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research and Health Partners Research Foundation.
The team studied the medical records of almost 600,000 patients and found that patients who were taking oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis had a higher risk of suffering from osteonecrosis in the jaw. However, the study authors were keen to point out that the risk was very low. Lead author, Jeffrey Fellows, said that previous studies had indicated an increased risk of about 1 percent. However, this study suggested a much lower rate of around 0.1 percent.
Michael Herson, Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Northwest Permanente Medical Group, said that it was important that people realise the benefits of oral bisphosphonates. For the vast majority of patients, the benefits of the drug far outweigh the risks but patients should talk to their doctor if they are worried about taking the drug.
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