Journal of Rheumatic Diseases  2012;19(1):4-10

doi:10.4078/jrd.2012.19.1.4

Current and Upcoming Treatments for Osteoporosis.

Yoon Sok CHUNG 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Osteoporosis; Treatment; Medication

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a common senile disease that results in fragility fractures. With an ageing population, the medical and socioeconomic effect of osteoporosis, particularly postmenopausal osteoporosis, will increase further. Currently, good anti-fracture data supports many available anti-resorptive and anabolic drugs including bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and recombinant human parathyroid hormones. Calcium and vitamin D are also essential treatments for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Although, bisphosphonate is the cornerstone of osteoporosis treatment and is considered as the first line of therapy, their duration of therapy and long-term safety is under question. Novel agents, particularly denosumab, inhibitors of cathepsin K, andanabolic agents that act on Wnt signaling, will increase the therapeutic options for clinicians in the coming years.