Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults

Publication Date: January 3, 2023

Summary of Recommendations

Recommendation 1a

ACP recommends that clinicians use bisphosphonates for initial pharmacologic treatment to reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal females diagnosed with primary osteoporosis. (S, H)
620

Recommendation 1b

ACP suggests that clinicians use bisphosphonates for initial pharmacologic treatment to reduce the risk of fractures in males diagnosed with primary osteoporosis. (C, L)
620

Recommendation 2a

ACP suggests that clinicians use the RANK ligand inhibitor (denosumab) as a second-line pharmacologic treatment to reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal females diagnosed with primary osteoporosis who have contraindications to or experience adverse effects of bisphosphonates. (C, M)
620

Recommendation 2b

ACP suggests that clinicians use the RANK ligand inhibitor (denosumab) as a second-line pharmacologic treatment to reduce the risk of fractures in males diagnosed with primary osteoporosis who have contraindications to or experience adverse effects of bisphosphonates. (C, L)
620

Recommendation 3

ACP suggests that clinicians use the sclerostin inhibitor (romosozumab, moderate-certainty evidence) or recombinant PTH (teriparatide, low-certainty evidence), followed by a bisphosphonate, to reduce the risk of fractures only in females with primary osteoporosis with very high risk of fracture. (C, U)
620

Recommendation 4

ACP suggests that clinicians take an individualized approach regarding whether to start pharmacologic treatment with a bisphosphonate in females over the age of 65 with low bone mass (osteopenia) to reduce the risk of fractures. (C, L)
620

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Overview

Title

Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

January 3, 2023

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

This guideline updates the 2017 American College of Physicians (ACP) recommendations on pharmacologic treatment of primary osteoporosis or low bone mass to prevent fractures in adults.

Target Patient Population

The patient population includes adults with primary osteoporosis or low bone mass

Target Provider Population

The audience for this guideline includes all clinicians

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Management, Prevention

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D010024 - Osteoporosis

Keywords

osteoporosis, low bone mass

Source Citation

Qaseem A, Hicks LA, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Shamliyan T, Cooney TG; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians; Cross JT Jr, Fitterman N, Lin JS, Maroto M, Obley AJ, Tice JA, Tufte JE. Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Feb;176(2):224-238. doi: 10.7326/M22-1034. Epub 2023 Jan 3. PMID: 36592456.

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
94
Literature Search Start Date
February 1, 2014
Literature Search End Date
February 1, 2022