[Pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis: evidence-based clinical practice]

Since the foundation of the DVO ("Dachverband Osteologie") in 1999, it has been the continuous ambition to implement evidence-based medicine in the clinical course for the effective diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This aim was addressed by the implementation of general guidelines (DVO) in 2003. These guidelines (DVO) offer strategies for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, osteoporosis in elderly women and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Evidence-based treatment of osteoporosis recommends the supplementation with calcium and vitamin D, considering antiresorptive therapy antifracture efficacy is proven for the bisphosphonates alendronate, ibandronate and risedronate on the one hand and the SERM raloxifen on the other hand. On the basis of valid data from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials, new therapy regimen like rhPTH1-34 (teriparatide) or strontium ranelate fulfill the recommendation criteria for the guidelines (DVO). Effective treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis includes supplemental calcium and vitamin D and antiresorptive agents like the bisphosphonates alendronate, risedronate and etidronate according to the guidelines (DVO).