Unexpected Longevity Benefit From Osteoporosis Treatment

[TECH NEWS]

Australian clinical researchers have noted an extraordinary and unexpected benefit of osteoporosis treatment – that people taking bisphosphonates are not only surviving well, better than people without osteoporosis, they appear to be gaining an extra five years of life. Associate Professor Jacqueline Center and Professor John Eisman, from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, based their findings on data from the long running Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study. Out of a total cohort of around 2,000, a sub-group of 121 people were treated with bisphosphonates for an average of 3 years. When compared with other sub-groups taking other forms of treatment, such as Vitamin D (with or without calcium) or hormone therapy, the longer life associated with bisphosphonate treatment was marked and clear. These findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, now online. “While the results seemed surprisingly good, they are borne out by the data – within the limitations of any study – and appear to apply to men as well as women,” said Associate Professor Center.

2/2/11, Garvan Institute of Medical Research (via Eurekalert.com)