Appropriate Treatment For Osteoporosis Research Articles

Osteoporosis treatment for fracture prevention in elderly

Fracture prevention in the elderly is an urgent issue at all levels: individual, family, and societal. Osteoporosis is the underlying cause of fractures in the elderly, and it is important to understand its pathogenesis and treatment. Diet, exercise, and pharmacotherapy are all important for fracture prevention. Particularly with regard to pharmacotherapy, it is important to understand the mechanism of action of each drug and its characteristics and problems from a clinical point of view. Appropriate treatment of osteoporosis has been proven to reduce fractures in the elderly, and its widespread implementation is desirable.

P021 Quality Improvement Project: Improving Osteoporosis Treatment for Patients with a Neck of Femur Fracture

Abstract Background/Aims The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) identifies patients >50 who have sustained a fragility fracture (FF). These patients need prompt assessment and decision on appropriate treatment for osteoporosis in order to reduce their risk of sustaining further FFs. Without treatment, 1/5 patients can go on to have a further FFs which carry significant risk to mortality and morbidity. Zoledronate is a bone agent that halves the risk of another FF. Patients with a neck of femur fracture (#NOF) present as one of the most at-risk groups for a further FF. These patients are generally elderly and frail and attendance to outpatient hospital appointments are difficult. Therefore, transforming the FLS from an out-patient-based service, to one that is streamlined to systematically identify and opportunistically treat patients whilst they are still in hospital means delivering timely, effective and efficient patient-centred care. Methods We used various Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to aim to deliver Zoledronate to ≥ 90% of appropriately assessed in-patients >60 who have had a #NOF within a year of commencing QIP. Results PDSA cycle 1-Involvement of ortho-geriatrician: P-Improve working relationship with ortho-geriatrician with an interest in bone health over a 6-month period; D-Regular meetings with wider MDT; S-Priority of bone health assessments made greater through ward round documentation; A-Expand knowledge throughout the wider ortho-geriatrician team. PDSA cycle 2-Timing of Zoledronate delivery: P-Literature review regarding delivery of Zoledronate timing; D-Discuss as MDT; S-No evidence to suggest delay in fracture healing if given on day 7; A-Adopted process and communicated. PDSA cycle 3-FLS team on the wards as a result of PDSA cycle 2 not improving treatment outcomes: P-FLS nurses to join ortho-geriatrician ward round twice-weekly for 3-month trial period; D-Bank holidays and spike in Covid cases presented a challenge. Solution: Improvement of MDT relationships; S-At the end of the trial period an increase in patients who received treatment was shown and proved our prediction; A-Adaptation to documentation in FLS to streamline and reduce duplication. Conclusion The ability to deliver Zoledronate to ≥ 90% of appropriate patients with a #NOF as an inpatient was reached after 8 months of initiating QIP. Furthermore, maintaining this was consistently achieved throughout the following year and beyond. A few of the main reasons for this included earlier drug delivery, having a dedicated ortho-geriatrician as part of the FLS, and the FLS team attending the wards. A prompt bone health assessment of patients has enabled appropriate treatment to be delivered efficiently. The delivery of Zoledronate as an in-patient has meant that a significantly greater proportion of patients receive treatment, and sooner, in comparison to awaiting an outpatient assessment (that they may not attend). Therefore, this QIP has demonstrated time- and cost-effective management of patients with #NOF requiring Zoledronate. Disclosure G. O'Hara: None. E. Stanley: None. S. Broadhurst: None. M. Hui: None.

337 AN INVESTIGATION OF UNDER-TREATMENT OF KNOWN OSTEOPOROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH SUBSEQUENT HIP FRACTURE

Abstract Background Hip fractures have long been associated with significant morbidity and mortality and threat to independent living. A major, treatable risk factor for the development of a hip fracture is osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to investigate what proportion of patients with a prior osteoporosis diagnosis admitted to acute hospitals with a new hip fracture are receiving suboptimal osteoporosis treatment. We further aimed to investigate if any demographic variables or features from clinical history and exam were associated with undertreatment. Methods Using the Irish Hip Fracture Database (IHFD), we prospectively examined patients over the age of 60 who were admitted to an acute trauma centre with a diagnosis of hip fracture, between January 2019 and December 2021. Patients were excluded if they had a pubic rami fracture or other non-hip fracture, or if they were under the age of 60. History of osteoporosis was either diagnosed by DEXA imaging or by previous fragility fracture. We also collected data on demographic and clinical variables that may be associated with being more likely to be treated with osteoporosis medications, such as age, sex, New Mobility Score, Abbreviated Mental Test Score and the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade. Results Initial data collection showed 246 patients who met our inclusion criteria, with only 97 patients (39.4%) on appropriate treatment for osteoporosis. We then applied a binary logistic regression model to our predictor variables in estimating the likelihood of a patient to be prescribed “appropriate” osteoporosis medication as previously described, however none of the selected variables were shown to have any significant value in predicting the likelihood of being undertreated with appropriate medication for osteoporosis. Conclusion This study demonstrated that 60% of patients admitted with hip fracture who had a known diagnosis of osteoporosis were undertreated for same. Treatment inertia in prescribing medications for osteoporosis must be tackled to try and remedy this.

Closing the Osteoporosis Care Gap

This Teachable Moment describes the lack of appropriate treatment for osteoporosis after a patient’s initial fragility fracture, which unnecessarily increases the common, costly, and morbid risks of refracture.

Evaluation of factors affecting the occurrence of second atypical fracture after bone union of the first atypical fracture.

Teriparatide is sometimes used in the treatment of atypical femoral fracture (AFF). Even if bone union is achieved, orthopedic physicians must consider the risk of relapse. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting AFF recurrence, and to determine the appropriate treatment for osteoporosis after bone union. One hundred thirty-one consecutive AFFs in 113 Japanese patients were included. Eleven patients had AFF in the unaffected limb (9 patients) after the first AFF or re-fracture at the original fracture site (2 patients) after bone union of the first AFF was confirmed. We divided all patients into two groups: the second fracture group (22 AFFs in 11 patients) and non-second fracture group (109 AFFs in 102 patients). We compared clinical information between the 2 groups and investigated the factors affecting AFF recurrence using the Student t-, Welch t-, and chi-square tests. Although there was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between the 2 groups, multivariate analysis of factors associated with AFF recurrence identified short duration of treatment with teriparatide and active vitamin D3 (p=0.0408 and 0.0366, respectively) as risk factors. Even in the analysis excluding subtrochanteric AFF, short periods of teriparatide and active vitamin D3 administration were observed as risk factors (p=0.0484 and 0.0346, respectively). The administration of teriparatide for as long as possible after occurrence first AFF and the use of active vitamin D3 after completion of teriparatide therapy may be the most effective strategy to prevent the recurrence of AFF.

The crisis of inadequate treatment in osteoporosis.

The number of fractures related to osteoporosis is expected to increase dramatically in the next few decades because of an increase in the number of elderly patients at high risk of falls and fractures. Developments in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis might change our strategies for management of patients with osteoporosis: the imminent risk of fracture concept, the issue of how to correctly sequence treatment, the potential effectiveness of screening, and goal-directed treatment strategies. Despite advances, few patients receive appropriate treatment for osteoporosis, even after a fracture. The crisis in the treatment of osteoporosis is related to several factors, including the fears and beliefs that patients and physicians have about the adverse effects of treatments. Strategies to address this crisis pose a considerable challenge; nonetheless, prevention of fragility fractures is within our reach. To that end, careful selection of patients at high risk of fracture, selection of the best therapeutic strategy, and accurate communication about fracture risk and bone fragility must be improved.

Vertebral Fractures among Patients Referred for Bone Densitometry Screening in Dubai Primary Health Care Facilities.

Vertebral fractures are one of the most common fractures associated with low bone mineral density. However two-thirds to three-fourths of patients with vertebral fractures are not clinically recognized. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients referred for bone densitometry and the most common site of fracture. The study was carried out in the osteoporosis clinic in Dubai primary health care center. A total of 120 patients were examined using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Of all the patients, 48.3% were osteoporotic and 40.9% were osteopenic. The overall prevalence of vertebral fracture was 14.2%. The result showed that the prevalence of vertebral fracture was higher in female compared to male (15.7% and 9.7%, respectively). It was found that patients aged 80 and above had the highest prevalence of vertebral fracture (54.5%). Undiagnosed vertebral fractures were common. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent vertebral fracture through early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of osteoporosis.

Clinical decision support system for the management of osteoporosis compared to NOGG guidelines and an osteology specialist: a validation pilot study

BackgroundAlthough osteoporosis is an easily diagnosed and treatable condition, many individuals remain untreated. Clinical decision support systems might increase appropriate treatment of osteoporosis. We designed the Osteoporosis Advisor (OPAD), a computerized tool to support physicians managing osteoporosis at the point-of-care. The present study compares the treatment recommendations provided by OPAD, an expert physician and the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG).MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 259 patients attending the outpatient osteoporosis clinic at the University Hospital in Iceland. We entered each patient’s data into the OPAD and recorded the OPAD diagnostic comments, 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture and treatment options. We compared OPAD recommendations to those given by the osteoporosis specialist, and to those of the NOGG.ResultsRisk estimates made by OPAD were highly correlated with those from FRAX (r = 0.99, 95% CI 0.99, 1.00 without femoral neck BMD; r = 0.98, 95% CI, 0.97, 0.99 with femoral neck BMD. Reassurance was recommended by the expert, NOGG and the OPAD in 68, 63 and 52% of cases, respectively. Likewise, intervention was recommended by the expert, NOGG, and the OPAD in 32, 37 and 48% of cases, respectively. The OPAD demonstrated moderate agreement with the physician (kappa 0.51, 95% CI 0.41, 0.61) and even higher agreement with NOGG (kappa 0.69, 95% CI 0.60, 0.77).ConclusionPrimary care physicians can use the OPAD to assess and treat patients’ skeletal health. Recommendations given by OPAD are consistent with expert opinion and existing guidelines.

THE CURRENT ISSUES ON OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG MALE SAUDI ARABIANS

Background and Objectives Osteoporosis was reported to be common among the Saudi Arabian population. In the last decade there have been no reports related to the male osteoporosis in Saudi Arabian citizens. The objective of this study was to find the hospital-based prevalence of male osteoporosis and the associated diseases. Methodology This is a retrospective study between January 2014 and December 2016 in which all patients who were referred for DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan to the radiology department of the King Fahd Hospital of the University, AlKhobar were included. Patient’s demographic data were collected from the medical records. Patients who were younger than 50 and those who had a fragility fracture were excluded from the analysis. From the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) the readings of the DEXA were collected. Associated diseases of the patients were also extracted from the QuadruMed Data Base. The data was entered in the database and analyzed using SPSS Inc. version 19 and p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results Four hundred and fifty-five patients had a DEXA scan during the study period. Three hundred and seventy- one (81.5%) were ≥50 years. The average was 65.33±9.85 years (range 50–97). On the basis of Spinal T score, 222 (59.8%) were osteoporotic with the Spinal T score of <−3.58±0.88, while, with Hip T score 120 (32.3%) were osteoporotic with T score of <−3.24±0.59. Thirty-six (9.7%) had a normal DEXA of spine and 74(19.9%) of patients had normal DEXA when the Hip T score was taken into consideration. Patients could be divided into 4 groups based on their diseases; they were on treatment for cardiac disease 106 (28.5%), Diabetes mellitus 95 (25.7%), osteoarthritis 141 (38%) and respiratory disease 29 (7.8%). Based on the Spinal T score osteoporosis was observed in 61/106 (57.5%) patients with cardiac disease, 62/95 (65.3%) in diabetics, in osteoarthritis 83/141 (58.9%) and 16/29 (55.1%) in patients with respiratory system diseases. Majority of the patients had vitamin D3 analysis and were most of the patients were in the deficiency range. From 222 (59.83%) patients who were diagnosed to have osteoporosis only 108 (48.64%) were on appropriate treatment for osteoporosis. Conclusion This study finds that the prevalence of osteoporosis in Saudi Arabian males is higher than in the western world and has increased in the last decade. The authors believe a more determined effort is needed to lower the screening age for osteoporosis and report the observations. This will allow a consensus to be reached regarding the frequency of osteoporosis in Saudi Arabian males and implement appropriate measures to limit its growth.

Pain in Osteoporosis: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Approach.

The high worldwide prevalence of osteoporosis means it is considered a serious public health concern, possibly leading to physical disability and an increased mortality rate. Although osteoporosis is known as a silent disease affecting aging populations, its primary symptom remains pain. Acute pain is reported by patients with osteoporosis-related fractures, but chronic pain, mainly back pain, is also a characteristic of severe osteoporosis. Pain is associated not only with fractures but also with bodily changes in patients with osteoporosis that may include sensory, affective, and cognitive aspects. Chronic pain leads to progressive loss of independence and the need for long-term care, especially in the elderly. Pain prevention is linked to the appropriate treatment of osteoporosis, and pain management in patients with osteoporosis requires a multidimensional approach to preserve and improve quality of life. Our aim was to review and discuss the main causes of pain in patients with osteoporosis and suggest possible strategies for its management and prevention.

Vertebral fracture management

Osteoporosis-related acute vertebral fragility fracture is a debilitating condition that can cause significant morbidity in elderly patients. Appropriate treatment requires a multimodal approach by spine care providers. Initial management should be directed at achieving adequate pain control to facilitate early mobilization. In patients refractory to nonoperative treatment, vertebral augmentation may be utilized. Back extensor exercises, postural training, and active orthoses can help not only with symptom control but also reduce the progression of kyphosis. Appropriate treatment of osteoporosis should be initiated as soon as possible to minimize the risk of future fracture.

Addressing the Crisis in the Treatment of Osteoporosis: A Path Forward.

Considerable data and media attention have highlighted a potential "crisis" in the treatment of osteoporosis. Specifically, despite the availability of several effective drugs to prevent fractures, many patients who need pharmacological therapy are either not being prescribed these medications or if prescribed a medication, are simply not taking it. Although there are many reasons for this "gap" in the treatment of osteoporosis, a major factor is physician and patient concerns over the risk of side effects, especially atypical femur fractures (AFFs) related to bisphosphonate (and perhaps other antiresorptive) drug therapy. In this perspective, we review the current state of undertreatment of patients at increased fracture risk and suggest possible short-, intermediate-, and long-term approaches to address patient concerns, specifically those related to AFF risk. We suggest improved patient and physician education on prodromal symptoms, extended femur scans using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to monitor patients on antiresorptive treatment, better identification of high-risk patients perhaps using geometrical parameters from DXA and other risk factors, and more research on pharmacogenomics to identify risk markers. Although not the only impediment to appropriate treatment of osteoporosis, concern over AFFs remains a major issue and one that needs to be resolved for effective dissemination of existing treatments to reduce fracture risk. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Interprofessional care for patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community

ObjectivesTo assess the quality of care provided to patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) after implementation of an interprofessional osteoporosis clinic (OPC). Specifically, quality measures were evaluated, including dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and prescription treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass in an ambulatory independent living community. SettingLarge family medicine teaching practice that provides primary care for residents in one main practice, 5 rural satellite practices, and 2 CCRCs. An interprofessional OPC was developed at the main practice in 2005. Patients at all of the organization's sites could be referred to the main practice for osteoporosis management. A needs assessment conducted at one of the CCRCs in 2011 revealed that rates of screening and treatment were suboptimal for its residents despite availability of an off-site OPC. Practice innovationIn 2012, a new interprofessional OPC including a physician, medical assistant, and pharmacist was replicated on-site at the CCRC so that residents had access to this service within their medical home. EvaluationQuality measures were evaluated after implementation of the team-based OPC on-site at a CCRC and included: 1) DXA screening; 2) calcium and vitamin D supplementation; and 3) prescription treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass. ResultsTwenty-nine patients were seen in the new OPC from January 2012 to August 2013. Ninety-three percent had appropriate DXA testing after OPC implementation. Patients accepted pharmacist recommendations regarding calcium and vitamin D supplementation 90% and 86% of the time, respectively. All but 4 patients received appropriate treatment for osteoporosis or low bone mass. ConclusionProviding a team-based OPC on site in a CCRC improved quality measures for screening and treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass.

Screening for osteoporosis in Chinese post-menopausal women: a health economic modelling study.

Screening and appropriate treatment for osteoporosis has been proven to be cost-effective in many populations; however, it is not clear in the Chinese population. Simulations using a validated health economics model suggest that screening for osteoporosis in Chinese women is cost-effective and may even be cost-saving in Chinese post-menopausal women. This study aimed at determining the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening strategies in post-menopausal Chinese women. A validated state-transition microsimulation model with a lifetime horizon was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different screening strategies with treatment of alendronate compared with current osteoporosis management in China. Osteoporosis screening strategies assessed were (1) universal screening with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) alone; (2) Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) + DXA; and (3) quantitative ultrasound (QUS) + DXA with rescreening at 2, 5 or 10-year intervals for patients screened negative by DXA. The study was performed from the Chinese healthcare payer's perspective. All model inputs were retrieved from publically available literature. Uncertainties were addressed by one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Screening strategies all improved clinical outcomes at increased costs, and each were cost-effective compared with no screening in women aged 55years given the Chinese willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 20,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Pre-screening with QUS and subsequent DXA screening if the QUS T-score ≤ -0.5 with a 2-year rescreening interval was the most cost-effective strategy with the highest probability of being cost-effective across all non-dominated strategies. Screening strategies were cost-saving if screenings were initiated from age 65years. One-way sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were robust. Pre-screening with QUS with subsequent DXA screening if the QUS T-score ≤ -0.5 with a 2-year rescreening interval in the Chinese women starting at age 55 is the most cost-effective. In addition, screening and treatment strategies are cost-saving if the screening initiation age is greater than 65years.

Inadequate management for secondary fracture prevention in patients with distal radius fracture by trauma surgeons.

We evaluated the secondary fracture prevention in 1445 patients with distal radius fracture by trauma surgeons. The rate of patients with distal radius fracture who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) examination was low, suggesting that appropriate treatment for osteoporosis by trauma surgeons is not performed at present. To clarify the status of osteoporosis interventions after distal radial fractures by trauma surgeons who play the main role in treatment for these fractures, we performed a survey involving multiple institutions in Japan. We asked 155 board members of the Japanese Society for Fracture Repair for their cooperation and performed a survey in 48 institutions with which members who gave cooperation were affiliated. The subjects consisted of consecutive patients with distal radial fractures occurring between January and December 2012. The presence or absence of a diagnosis of osteoporosis and bone mineral density examination after fracture was investigated. A total of 1445 patients with distal radial fractures were evaluated in this study. BMD examination for diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis after fracture was performed respectively in 126 (8.7%) and 193 (13.4%) of 1445 patients. Treatment for osteoporosis was performed in 93 (73.8%) of 126 patients who underwent BMD examination after fracture and 100 (8.2%) of 1219 who did not undergo BMD examination. Of the 126 patients who underwent BMD examination after fracture, 89 showed a BMD <80% of the young adult mean as a criterion for the initiation of drug treatment for osteoporosis in Japan and 77 (86.5%) of the 89 patients were treated with drugs. The rate of patients with distal radial fractures who underwent BMD examination was low, suggesting that appropriate treatment for osteoporosis by trauma surgeons is not performed at present.

Surgeons save bones: an algorithm for orthopedic surgeons managing secondary fracture prevention

Postmenopausal osteoporosis has a big impact on health care budget worldwide, which are expected to double by 2050. In spite of severe medical and socioeconomic consequences from fragility fractures, there are insufficient efforts in optimizing osteoporotic treatment and prevention. Undertreatment of osteoporosis is a well known phenomenon, particularly in elderly patients. Treatment rates remain low across virtually all patient, provider, and hospital-level characteristics, even after fragility fractures. In-hospital initiation is one of the options to increase treatment rates and improve osteoporosis management. However, multiple factors contribute to the failure of initiating appropriate treatment of osteoporosis in patients with fragility fractures. These include a lack of knowledge in osteoporosis and an absence of a comprehensive treatment guideline among family physicians and orthopedic surgeons. Furthermore, orthopedic surgeons are hardly willing to accept their responsibility for osteoporosis treatment due to the fact that they are usually not familiar with the initiation of specific drug treatments. The presented algorithm offers trauma surgeons and orthopedic surgeons a safe and simple guided pathway of treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women appropriately after fragility fractures based on the current literature. From our point of view, this algorithm is useful for almost all cases and the user can expect treatment recommendations in more than 90 % of all cases. Nevertheless, some patients may require specialized review by an endocrinologist. The proposed algorithm may help to increase the rate of appropriate osteoporosis treatment hence reducing the rates of fragility fractures.

Treatment preference and tolerability with alendronate once weekly over a 3-month period: an Israeli multi-center study

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment, for which compliance is not easy to achieve. 70 mg of alendronate once weekly (alendronate OW) provides equivalent efficacy to treatment with 10 mg of alendronate once a day (alendronate OD); however, there are relatively few data regarding patient and physician preferences for once-weekly vs daily dosing. The aim of this study was to measure compliance, convenience, tolerance and relative preference of alendronate OW treatment among post-menopausal women with osteoporosis and physician satisfaction, compared with previous treatment with alendronate OD. This open-label, prospective multi-center trial was conducted at 14 hospitals and 150 primary-care community clinics in Israel. Post-menopausal osteoporotic women (n = 3710), who had been treated for at least 1 month with alendronate OD during the preceding year, were treated with alendronate OW for 12 weeks. Convenience, satisfaction, tolerance and relative preference of alendronate OW during the trial, compared with past experience with alendronate OD, were recorded. Overall, 96% of the patients preferred the alendronate OW regimen to the 10-mg daily dosage. Nearly all (98%) the patients who completed 12 weeks of treatment, including 77% of patients who had previously discontinued daily treatment due to intolerance, were willing to continue the alendronate OW regimen. Patient-reported compliance with dosing instructions was over 98%. Alendronate OW was well tolerated; only 2.8% of patients discontinued, due to adverse events. Physicians were highly satisfied with the once-weekly dosing regimen, and recommended continued treatment with alendronate OW for 99% of the patients. The majority of post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, including those who were previously intolerant to alendronate OD, preferred alendronate OW to the once-daily dosing regimen. It is important to consider patient preference when selecting the appropriate treatment for osteoporosis.

Patients with osteoporosis prefer once weekly to once daily dosing with alendronate

Objectives: Once weekly dosing of alendronate has been shown to provide equivalent efficacy to once daily dosing for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Whether patients will prefer weekly dosing to daily dosing for a chronic condition such as osteoporosis has not been studied. The aim of this international study was to assess preference for the weekly or daily dosing regimen of alendronate among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: This randomised open-label crossover study was conducted at 45 study sites in 19 countries. Four hundred and six postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were assigned randomly to treatment with either alendronate 70 mg once weekly for 4 weeks followed by alendronate 10 mg once daily for 4 weeks or vice versa. The main outcome was the responses of the participants to the Dosing Regimen Questionnaire administered at the end of the study. Results: Of the participants expressing a preference, 84% preferred the once weekly dosing regimen with alendronate to the once daily dosing regimen. In addition, the once weekly regimen was considered by 87% of the participants to be more convenient and was the regimen most of the participants (84%) would be more willing to take for a long period of time ( P<0.001 for each parameter). Conclusions: The majority of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis preferred the once weekly to the once daily dosing regimen of alendronate. Physicians should consider patient preference for dosing regimen when selecting the appropriate treatment for osteoporosis.