Anti-fracture efficacy of risedronic acid in men: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Male osteoporosis is an important public health issue and remains undertreated. We performed this meta-analysis to clarify the anti-fracture efficacy of risedronic acid in men.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in men receiving risedronic acid or placebo published between 1980 and September 2008 were searched for in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies with a follow-up of at least 12 months and providing the incidence of fractures were considered for inclusion in the review. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the included studies and performed data extraction. Analysis of pooled data was carried out using Revman 4.2 software.

RESULTS

Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria and permitted a pooled estimate of effectiveness. Relative risk with 95% confidence intervals for pooled effect under fixed effects model were: 0.31 (0.16, 0.60) for vertebral fractures and 0.40 (0.23, 0.70) for nonvertebral fractures, suggesting a 69% risk reduction of vertebral fractures and a 60% risk reduction of nonvertebral fracture with risedronic acid treatment in men.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis show that risedronic acid treatment is associated with a reduced risk of fractures in men.