Bone Abstracts

Objectives: Treatment outcomes in patients treated with teriparatide were compared to standard care in patients with severe osteoporosis (bone mineral density T score of −4 or less).

Methods: An observational study was performed of patients attending a specialist osteoporosis service and who were initiated on teriparatide (n=324). Patients that met criteria for teriparatide but declined treatment, were already established on a bisphosphonate or had a contraindication, formed the control group (n=148). An intention to treat analysis was performed including 35 patients that discontinued teriparatide treatment due to side effects, difficulty with treatment or death. The frequency of fracture after 3 years of follow-up were compared using χ² test.

Results: Over the observation period patients receiving teriparatide were significantly less likely to suffer a vertebral fracture, though rates of non-vertebral fracture did not differ between the groups. Patients that received treatment with PTH were older and more likely to be female, though no difference in BMI was observed (Table 1).

Conclusion: In patients with severe osteoporosis, and particularly those at risk of vertebral fracture, teriparatide may be the preferred treatment option.