Clinical Guide on Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Publisher Elsevier announced today the publication of an important clinical guide from the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) in the February issue of Maturitas. This clinical guide details the role of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) against postmenopausal osteoporosis as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the use of bazedoxifene and lasofoxifene.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and resulting fractures have a major impact on morbidity and mortality and are major public health issues. Various therapies such as bisphosphonates, strontium ranelate and more recently denomsumab are available but these are not suitable for all women. Health concerns have been raised resulting from these therapies, such as oesophageal cancer, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and subtrochanteric fractures with bisphosphonates and venous thromboembolism with strontiumranelate. Use of bazedoxifene and lasofoxifene will increase the number of therapeutic options available as these new SERMs point to a greater anti-fracture potential.

The decision of which type of treatment to use for osteoporosis and when to begin should be based on the need to reduce fracture risk. All treatments including SERMs should include recommendations for a healthy life style and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Additional benefits of different agents (i.e. climacteric symptom improvement with estrogens, breast cancer prevention for SERMS) must be considered when selecting the anti-osteoporosis drug. Furthermore what agent is used (estrogen, SERM, bisphosphonates) may vary over a woman's life time. The clinical guide from the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) details all important and necessary aspects of consideration.

Source: Elsevier