IS THERE ANY TREATMENT FOR MODERATELY LOW BONE DENSITY IN THE ABSENCE OF FRANK OSTEOPOROSIS?
(June 2004) Loss of bone strength is characteristic for women after the menopause. Middle-aged and older men also lose bone strength, but it tends to occur later in life and is usually less severe. Moderately diminished bone density, called osteopenia, is associated with a two to four fold increased fracture risk, primarily because of progression to osteoporosis. More severe loss of bone strength results in frank osteoporosis; this is associated with a much greater fracture risk. The risk of fracture is substantial enough with osteoporosis that, when it is diagnosed by a bone mineral density test, treatment is strongly recommended. There are multiple agents that have been shown to reduce fracture risk in such women, including bisphosphonates such as Fosamax; estrogen-like drugs such as Evista; estrogens themselves. The persisting question is whether treatment of osteopenia with any drug is effective in reducing fracture risk. The answer is that, at present, none of the drugs that is ef
