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Randomized trials have shown that bisphosphonates lower risk for fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. However, the time to benefit from such treatment is unclear. In this meta-analysis of 10 randomized clinical trials of alendronate, risedronate, or zoledronic acid that involved 23,400 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age range, 63–74), researchers determined the time to benefit for bisphosphonate treatment to prevent fractures.
Participants were followed for 12 to 48 months. Bisphosphonates would need to be given to 100 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis for 12 months to prevent 1 nonvertebral fracture. Bisphosphonates would need to be given to 200 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis for 20 months to preven…