Randomized controlled trial of zoledronic acid for treatment of osteoporosis in women

<sec id="sec11-0300060513480917">Objective To assess the effect of zoledronic acid (ZOL) on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk at the L1-L4 vertebrae, femoral neck, hip and trochanter in Chinese women with osteoporosis. <sec id="sec12-0300060513480917">Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in female patients with osteoporosis, randomized to receive one 5-mg ZOL intravenous infusion per year or placebo equivalent. Facture risk and BMD were measured over a 2-year follow-up period. <sec id="sec13-0300060513480917">Results A statistically significant reduction in the risk of fracture was observed at the trochanter in the ZOL group (n=242) compared with the placebo group (n=241); (odds ratio 0.54 [95% confidence interval 0.29, 0.98]): BMD was 0.24, 0.28, 0.31 and 0.22 greater at the L1-L4 vertebrae, total hip, femoral neck and trochanter, respectively, in the ZOL group. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between treatment groups. <sec id="sec14-0300060513480917">Conclusions This study indicated that ZOL could increase BMD and reduce fracture risk in women with osteoporosis over a 2-year follow-up period, and was not associated with any serious drug-related adverse effects.