Long-term Fosamax use linked to femur fracturing in older women, says JAMA study

The article, Bisphosphonate Use and the Risk of Subtrochanteric or Femoral Shaft Fractures in Older Women covers a study linking long-term Fosamax use to fracturing your femur (thigh bone).

The article was published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on February 22^ndof 2011, and is groundbreaking in the sense of its size and accuracy. This is the largest study performed on the issue of femur fracturing caused by bisphosphonates (a medication group that includes the popular drug Fosamax).

Also, the selection of controls is very precise – they matched cases on age (within 1 year), exposure time (same calendar year and quarter for bisphosphonate initiation), and excluded women from the study that had cancer or any other bone altering condition within the last 10 years.

The article briefly addresses the concern these results imply – primarily stating that femur fractures can be a death sentence for senior women.

“Approximately 50% of women older than 50 years will sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime, and 1 of 5 patients with an osteoporosis-related fracture will die within 12 months,” says JAMA. “Case reports and conflicting findings from small observational studies have left clinicians and patients uncertain about whether bisphosphonates increase the risk of subtrochanteric or femoral shaft [thigh bone area] fractures.”

Osteoporosis is a serious condition for older women, and bisphosphonates are intended to reduce your risks of femur fracturing. This study proves that after five years of use, bisphosphonates actually do the opposite then for what they are intended.

The article states that the FDA said it intended to keep close watch on the connection between femur fracturing and bisphosphonate use, and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research stated that it needed additional research to make an accurate conclusion.

This study provides strong evidence that may forever change the opinion of the medical community on the subject of long-term bisphosphonate use.

It’s important to note that anyone who has sustained a femur fracture from taking the drug Fosamax has the right to pursue financial compensation. Weitz & Luxenberg can help in this pursuit. Contact us today for a free legal consultation concerning your case.

The objective and the results

As stated in the JAMA article, the objective of the study was “to determine whether prolonged bisphosphonate therapy is associated with an increased risk of subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fracture.”

The researchers in the study examined a total of 205,466 female bisphosphonate-users aged 68 years and older for many years. They found 716 women had atypical fractures in the femur bone. This group was then compared with a control group of 3,580 women who had not sustained a fracture, but were of comparable age and bisphosphonate exposure time. 

The results of the study read as follows:

“We identified 716 women who sustained a subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fracture following initiation of bisphosphonate therapy and 9723 women who sustained a typical osteoporotic fracture of the intertrochanteric region or femoral neck. Compared with transient bisphosphonate use, treatment for 5 years or longer was associated with an increased risk of subtrochanteric or femoral shaft [thigh bone] fracture (adjusted odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-6.02). A reduced risk of typical osteoporotic fractures occurred among women with more than 5 years of bisphosphonate therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.93). Among 52 595 women with at least 5 years of bisphosphonate therapy, a subtrochanteric or femoral shaft [thigh bone] fracture occurred in 71 (0.13%) during the subsequent year and 117 (0.22%) within 2 years.”

Translating the data

The results show that older women who take bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax) for 5 years or longer are at a 2.74 times higher risk having a spontaneous thigh bone fracture. This was the greatest difference in risk seen between groups in the study. It was seen between women that were exposed to bisphosphonates for 5 years or longer and those who stopped taking bisphosphonates longer than 100 days.

What options are available for those injured?

Those that have sustained femur fracture injuries from taking Fosamax have the right to pursue financial compensation for their losses. The New York-based law firm Weitz & Luxenberg can help you in this pursuit. We have experienced attorneys specialized in defective medicine cases ready to help those that have been seriously injured.

To get started, simply fill out the form on this page. After submitting the form, a representative of Weitz & Luxenberg will be in contact with you shortly. We will provide you with a free, no obligation legal consultation on your Fosamax case. Those that have been injured need not delay in seeking compensation. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg today.

Click To Talk To Us Online

see also:

Femur Fracture News A news report on fosamax causing femur fracture
Fosamax and femur fractures in the news: what you need to know.

Brittle Bones: Press Release AAOS press release acknowledges link between Fosamax and brittle bones
Link found between fosamax and brittle bones states AAOS in 2010 press release

Fosamax News Ongoing news coverage of the drug Fosamax and the life-threatening side-effects it carries
Weitz & Luxenberg's ongoing coverage of Fosamax news stories