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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Older adults starting denosumab for osteoporosis had a 17% lower risk of developing osteoarthritis compared to those starting oral bisphosphonates, a new study finds. The benefit was seen specifically for knee and hip osteoarthritis — but only in first-time users. Patients who switched from bisphosphonates to denosumab didn't see the same advantage.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research suggests that denosumab — a widely used osteoporosis drug — may offer an added benefit: a lower risk of developing osteoarthritis. Researchers in Japan analyzed claims data from over 65,000 adults aged 50+ with osteoporosis and found that those who started denosumab had a meaningfully lower risk of new-onset osteoarthritis compared to those who started oral bisphosphonates.
The protective effect was most notable for knee and hip osteoarthritis, but not hand osteoarthritis. Importantly, the benefit only appeared in first-time medication users — patients who switched from bisphosphonates to denosumab showed no significant reduction in osteoarthritis risk compared to those who stayed on bisphosphonates. Researchers suggest prior bisphosphonate exposure may alter the subchondral bone-remodeling environment, potentially explaining this difference.
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Why it matters: These findings hint that denosumab could do double duty — treating osteoporosis while potentially protecting joints. Researchers caution that the observational design and claims-based data limit conclusions, and more rigorous studies are needed before this influences prescribing practice.
