Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: the 2021 position statement of The North American Menopause Society

As new therapies have become available, an evidence review was conducted on osteoporosis screening, prevention, diagnosis, & management in past decade in order to update position statement published by The Society in 2010 on management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

SPS commentary:

A commentary in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology discusses areas of uncertainty and controversy in the updated position statement and notes overall it is valuable for the key messages it sets out:

  • the impact of osteoporosis on the health of postmenopausal women;
  • the need for widespread adoption of a lifestyle that promotes bone health, emphasising safe physical activity, a balanced diet that maintains a healthy body weight, not smoking, and avoiding high alcohol intake;
  • the value of estimating fracture risk from clinical factors and, if appropriate, incorporating BMD;
  • the need for lifelong osteoporosis management.

It notes that medications are now available that powerfully modulate both bone formation and bone resorption but uncertainty remains as to how they should be used to achieve optimal fracture prevention. Further substantial clinical trials are needed to resolve this question.

Menopause

Resource links:

Commentary