[Risk of jaw osteonecrosis and atypical femoral fracture: how to inform patients with osteoporosis?]

Abstract

Introduction: Amino-bisphosphonates (BP), such as zoledronate, alendronate, ibandronate or risedronate, and the antibody therapies with denosumab (DMAb) or romosozumab (ROMO) are highly effective therapies for reducing the risk of vertebral fractures and non-vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Generally very well tolerated, these antiresorptive therapies have an association with bone-specific adverse events such as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and atypical femoral fractures (AFF). This association leads to uncertainty among patients and treating physicians as to how the benefit-risk should be assessed in individual cases. By providing concrete answers to specific questions in connection with these rare events, patients can be informed in a targeted manner.