From osteoporosis and pneumonia
Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, which are widely used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, are associated with a lower risk of pneumonia and death from pneumonia. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by a group of scientists from the University of Hong Kong and published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
The aim of the work was to study the risk of developing pneumonia and mortality from pneumonia among patients receiving nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates and other anti-osteoporosis drugs, or who did not receive treatment. To do this, data were retrospectively collected on patients who suffered a hip fracture during 2005-2015, and then they were monitored until the end of 2016 to track cases of pneumonia and mortality from pneumonia.
The study included 4041 patients who received nitrogen-containing biphosphonates and 11802 patients without treatment. Over an average follow-up period of 2.7 years, taking biphosphonates was accompanied by a reduction in the risk of pneumonia by a quarter (24%) compared with the absence of treatment. A similar relationship was observed with mortality from pneumonia, while the risk in the group of people taking nitrogen-containing biphosphonates was one-third (35%) lower than in the control group.
When the incidence and mortality from pneumonia were compared in groups of patients taking nitrogen-containing biphosphonates and receiving other anti-osteoporosis drugs, the association remained significant: nitrogen-containing biphosphonates were associated with lower risks of the assessed endpoints. The results of previous animal studies show that treatment with nitrogen-containing biphosphonates leads to their high concentration in the respiratory tract. Given the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of this group of drugs, it can be assumed why they were associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia.
Currently, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether biphosphonates can be used to prevent and reduce the incidence of pneumonia in high-risk groups.
Article C.-W.Sing et al. Nitrogen Containing Bisphosphonates Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Pneumonia in Patients With Hip Fracture published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to Wiley: Osteoporosis Treatment May Also Protect Against Pneumonia.