Richman.

Science (February 14, 2011)

frequently prescribed drug osteoporosis associated with slightly increased risk of rare but serious condition, necrosis of the jaw, but the risk remains very low. The data published in

Journal of Dental Research, the official journal of the International and American Association of Dental Research. Although the results are provocative, the study authors say they should be carefully thought out with much use of these drugs to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Research funded by the National Institute of Health and conducted by researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Research in Health and HealthPartners Research Foundation. The study examined medical records of nearly 600,000 patients and is part of dental practice-based research network - a consortium participants practice and dental organizations that supported the promotion of knowledge dental practice and ways to improve. Oral bisphosphonates are usually prescribed to treat osteoporosis patients probably increases the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, but the risk is still very low, says lead author, Jeffrey guys, Ph.D., a researcher at Kaiser Permanente Center for Research in Health. Previous studies have shown that about one percent of users of oral bisphosphonates may develop necrosis of the jaw, but our study showed a much lower rate, less than one tenth of percent. The risk is real and patients should take the necessary precautions, but they should not be concerned. These drugs are very useful in treating osteoporosis and preventing fractures and for most patients the benefits of taking them outweigh the small risk found in this study, says Michael Herson, MD, Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Northwest Permanente Medical Group, which not involved in the study. If the patient is concerned about taking these drugs, they should consult with their doctors. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is difficult to treat and occurs when blood flow to bone is reduced, resulting in a square jaw are more than 6-8 weeks. Most cases of cancer patients taking intravenous bisphosphonates, risks associated with oral bisphosphonates is less clear. This study attempts to quantify the risk is great, some people. It is important to establish that the risk is that bisphosphonates are widely prescribed to patients of osteoporosis. According to the 2009 article in the American Journal of Health Care Pharmacy, 4. 7000000 Americans take oral bisphosphonates. New article published in the Journal of Dental Research examined electronic medical records 572 606 patients from 1995 to 2006. The researchers found 23 cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw, the majority of patients not taking oral bisphosphonates, but had other risk factors, including head and neck cancer therapy, radiation, and osteoporosis. About 4 percent of patients, or 21 164 people were assigned oral bisphosphonates, but only six of these patients, or about 3500, developed necrosis of the jaw. Patients taking oral bisphosphonates to nine times more likely than those who did not develop the condition. Invasive dental procedures may also increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, so that patients who require these procedures can still get them from oral bisphosphonates, said Dr. Daniel Pihlstrom, co-author and deputy director of evidence-based care and research in oral health 'I'm Permanente Dental Associates. Patients who are taking these drugs should not stop to get dental care, but if they require invasive dental procedures, they should inform the dentist or oral surgeon that they take drugs, he added Pihlstrom. The authors caution that their confidence in the relationship between oral bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw is limited because they have found very few cases. A small number of cases also limited their ability to control other risk factors. In addition, because necrosis of the jaw did not have a diagnosis code to 2007, the authors used a computer program to search medical records for any diagnosis or procedure or physician chart note that can indicate a possible case. Manual chart review lasix generic side effects is used to confirm osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients detected on your computer. Some additional cases were found through conversations with general dentists and oral surgeons serving patients from each Health Organization. While the search was extensive, there is a chance that in some cases were dropped. This work was supported by grants DE-16746 and DE-16747 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors document include Jeffrey L. guys, Ph.D., and Christine M. Gallio, Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente Center for Research in Health in Portland, Oregon, Daniel J. Pihlstrom, DDS, Dental Associates of Permanente in Portland, D. Brad Rindal, DDS, and William Rush, Ph.D., of HealthPartners Research Foundation in Minneapolis, Andrei Barasch, DMD, MDSc. From the Department of General Dental Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Joshua Richman, MD, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Recommend this story on Facebook, Twitter

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and Google +1: Other Bookmark and collaboration: History Source: above story is reprinted with provided through, services AAAS. Note: materials may be edited for content and length. For more information, please contact the source listed above. Journal Links JL Guys, DB Rindal, A. Barasch, CM Gallio, W. Rush, DJ Pihlstrom J. Richman. ONJ in two dental practices based on regional research network. Journal of Dental Research, 2011; DOI:

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