Health

Risedronate helps prevent hip fractures in Parkinson's patients

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 9, 2007

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A drug used to treat osteoporosis reduces the risk of hip fracture in men with Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the March 20 Neurology.

Low bone density is a common problem in people with this Parkinson's, because they may spend less time in the sun and be less active.

Researchers randomized 242 patients to receive either risedronate and vitamin D2 or the vitamin alone.

Patients in the drug group improved their bone mineral density by 2.2%, and three had hip fractures. Nine patients who received only the vitamin had a break. Their bone density decreased by 2.9%.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/04/09/hlbf0409.htm.

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