Osteoporosis treatment

A recent study featured in McKnight’s highlights that osteoporosis treatment in patients aged 80 and older is linked to significantly lower rates of hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The research, which analyzed data from over 88,000 individuals using the TriNetX database, found that older adults who received medications such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, raloxifene, or teriparatide after sustaining osteoporotic fractures had much better outcomes than those who remained untreated.

These benefits held true even after adjusting for common age-related comorbidities like heart disease, diabetes, and COPD. This study adds to a growing body
of evidence supporting the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment in the very elderly. For instance, a large cohort study in Taiwan showed a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality in adults aged 65 and older who received treatment following hip or vertebral fractures. Notably, those who remained on medication for two or more years saw even greater survival benefits and a reduced risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Additional data from Sweden and other meta-analyses have also demonstrated that patients aged 80 and above can gain bone density and experience fewer fractures, with treated individuals having significantly lower mortality rates compared to those who only received calcium and vitamin D. These findings are
particularly important given that hip fractures in seniors often carry a poor prognosis.

One-year mortality can reach up to 22% in men and is similarly high in older women, with less than half of patients over 85 surviving beyond five years. Despite this, many elderly patients remain untreated after a fracture, missing an opportunity to improve both quality and length of life. Overall, the research supports initiating osteoporosis treatment even in the oldest populations, as it can substantially reduce mortality, prevent future fractures, and promote healthier aging.