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Alendronate (Fosamax) reduces fracture rates among women with osteoporosis, usually defined as bone mineral density T-scores lower than –2.5. However, the benefit of alendronate in women with osteopenia (i.e., T-scores between –1 and –2.5) is unclear. In this analysis from the previously published, manufacturer-sponsored Fracture Intervention Trial, researchers focus on 3737 postmenopausal women (age range, 55-80) with femoral neck T-scores at the low end of the osteopenic range (–1.6 to –2.5).
The women were randomized to receive either alendronate or placebo for up to 4.5 years. Overall, the rate of clinical vertebral fractures (i.e., diagnosed by community physicians) was significantly lower in the alendronate group than in the placebo gr…