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Oral bisphosphonates are associated with reduced mortality in frail older people: a prospective five-year study

Osteoporosis International volume 22, pages 2551–2556 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Summary

In a study of 2005 institutionalized older people, use of oral bisphosphonates was associated with a 27% reduction in risk of death compared to non-users after adjusting for potential confounders.

Introduction

This study investigated whether reductions in mortality reported in a trial of intravenous zoledronate after hip fracture could be seen in older people taking oral bisphosphonates.

Methods

Two thousand and five institutionalized older people (mean age 85.7 years) were assessed at baseline and followed up for hip fracture and death for at least 5 years. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate effects of bisphosphonates on risk of death.

Results

At baseline, 78 subjects were taking oral bisphosphonates. Over 5 years of follow-up, 1,596 participants (80%) died. Use of bisphosphonates was associated with a 27% reduction in risk of death compared to non-users after adjusting for age, gender, type of institution, immobility, number of medications, weight, cognitive function, co-morbidities, and hip fracture incidence during the follow-up period (hazard ratio 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.94; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Oral bisphosphonates are associated with a reduction in the risk of death in the elderly. The mechanism of effect requires further investigation.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Osteoporosis Australia, and Arthritis Australia.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney, Level 4, Building 35, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia

    P. N. Sambrook, J. S. Chen & L. M. March

  2. Rehabilitation Studies Unit, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    I. D. Cameron

  3. Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    J. M. Simpson

  4. Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    R. G. Cumming

  5. ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    M. J. Seibel

Authors
  1. P. N. Sambrook
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  2. I. D. Cameron
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  3. J. S. Chen
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  4. L. M. March
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  5. J. M. Simpson
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  6. R. G. Cumming
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  7. M. J. Seibel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. N. Sambrook.

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Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, Osteoporosis Australia, and Arthritis Australia

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Sambrook, P.N., Cameron, I.D., Chen, J.S. et al. Oral bisphosphonates are associated with reduced mortality in frail older people: a prospective five-year study. Osteoporos Int 22, 2551–2556 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1444-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1444-6

Keywords

  • Aged care facility
  • Elderly
  • Hip fracture
  • Mortality
  • Osteoporosis