Farmacoterapia de la osteoporosis: revisión del estado actual

Abstract

As life expectancy increases, degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis become more visible. Fractures due to it cause a significant increase in morbidity, mortality and economic cost. It occurs because, in the first place, the bone formed is much less than destroyed, thus establishing a "negative balance". In addition, an increase in the remodelling units is added which translates into an increase in bone turnover. Osteoporosis presents a slow and progressive evolution, which depends on multiple factors such as age, sex or diet. Therefore, an early diagnosis will be important to perform an effective treatment. The osteoporosis management is done by changes in life style and pharmacotherapy. The pharmacological arsenal comprises two different groups of drugs; the osteoformers and the antiresorptives drugs, being these last ones those that more alternatives present. Among them are bisphosphonates, molecular analogues of the pyrophosphates of the bone matrix, which are inactivated when they are taken up by osteoclasts. Currently, new drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis are being developed, such as cathepsin K inhibitors, with the aim of being more effective against the disease and being able to treat a greater number of patients.