Osteoporosis and Men

Most men erroneously think that osteoporosis is a women's disease.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and are prone to fracture.

A new study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has recently been published and the findings are:

In one study, investigators sought to describe patterns of hip bone loss in older men and to explain whether bone strength in these men was inversely related to aging. The researchers analyzed bone mineral density measurements of 4,720 community dwelling men, age 65 and older, over a period of four and one-half years. Results demonstrated that although hip bone loss in these men was typically modest, its rate did, in fact, increase with age.

In another study, investigators applied a complex mathematical technique known as finite element analysis to existing quantitative computed tomography data to determine whether this approach might be an appropriate predictor of bone strength and fracture risk in older men. The analysis was performed on 250 men age 65 and older. Forty of the men had experienced a hip fracture, while 210 had not. Researchers discovered that FE analysis of the men’s QCT scans was a strong predictor of hip fracture, especially when combined with traditional bone mineral density measurements.

Fosamax and Esophageal Cancer Link

Could Fosamax, an osteoporosis drug, cause esophageal cancer?

According to the New England Journal of Medicine there could be a link.

From October 1995, Fosamax’s debut, and May 2008, there have been 23 reports of esophageal cancer in women taking Fosamax and eight have died thus far.

Other similar drugs – Boniva, Actonel, and Didronel have not been linked to esophageal cancer yet.

The link is not conclusive but use of oral bisphosphonates has been linked to inflammation of the esophagus which may lead to cancer.


Blogger’s note: Sometimes I feel the pharmaceutical industry uses women as guinea pigs.

Is Esophageal Cancer Linked to Fosamax?

Fosamax under investigation for fears of a link between a drug and esophageal cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration wants this to be studied. 23 cases of esophageal cancer may be linked to osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax. Merck's popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax and other similar drugs may carry a risk for esophageal cancer, a Food and Drug Administration official said on Wednesday, according the PR News Wires. Web MD writes that there is a new study published in January 2008 NEJM that shows Fosamax is effective in treating osteoporosis, but may not work the way experts believed.