Intermittent dosing of zoledronic acid based on bone turnover marker assessment reduces vertebral and non-vertebral fractures.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the administration of zoledronic acid (ZOL) once yearly for 3 years or once over 3 years, yields similar antifracture efficacy. Bone turnover markers can predict the antifracture efficacy of antiresorptive agents, with procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) being the most useful marker. In this retrospective cohort study, we explored the effects of intravenous dosing of ZOL guided by serum (S)-P1NP assessment on bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures.

Cortical bone structure of the proximal femur and incident fractures.

Purpose: Fracture risk is most frequently assessed using Dual X-ray absorptiometry to measure areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). However, these approaches have limitations and additional bone measurements may enhance the predictive ability of these existing tools. Increased cortical porosity has been associated with incident fracture in some studies, but not in others.