Protection for Those Who Have Experienced Hip Fracture

Few patients who have experienced hip fracture are prescribed medication to prevent future fractures; moreover, long-term adherence to bisphosphonate therapy is low. In this international manufacturer-supported trial, patients with recent hip fractures who were unwilling or unable to take an oral bisphosphonate were randomized to annual intravenous infusion with zoledronic acid or placebo. Participants with low or unreported serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D levels received one-time high-dose vitamin D therapy (50,000–125,000 IU vitamin D₃ or D₂ given orally or intramuscularly). Thereafter, all participants received daily oral calcium (1000–1500 mg) and vitamin D (800–1200 IU) supplementation. Of the 2127 participants (mean age, 74.5), 76% were fem…