Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, comparing treatment of oral bisphosphonates to denosumab

Author

Marissa Cadena, University of the PacificFollow

Date of Award

4-1-2019

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Department

Physician Assistant Education

First Advisor

Rahnea Sunseri

Abstract

For postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, initiating treatment is vital to increasing bone mineral density and avoiding bone fragility, which can lead to fractures. Long-term treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with bisphosphonates increases bone mineral density. Even though oral bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medication for osteoporosis, a majority of postmenopausal women discontinue bisphosphonate therapy within the first year of treatment due to cost, dose schedules, and side effects, thus, causing poor drug adherence. Evaluation of pharmaceutical treatments for newly diagnosed osteoporosis in postmenopausal women requires comparison of oral bisphosphonates to denosumab in order to assess which pharmacological treatment is better for preventing bone loss or fractures, with the least side effects, and the best overall compliance of treatment within the first few years of treatment.

Recommended Citation

Cadena, Marissa, "Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, comparing treatment of oral bisphosphonates to denosumab" (2019). Physician Assistant Capstones. 7.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pa-capstones/7