The efficacy of bisphosphonates in the prevention of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral-nonhip fractures in osteoporosis: a network meta-analysis

8 randomized placebo controlled trials (including over 20,000 patients) that investigated the effects of different bisphosphonate treatments for osteogenesis in postmenopausal women were evaluated with the aim of determining a superior treatment. A network meta-analysis using the Bayesian approach was conducted to analyze the indirect comparisons provided in the study and found that zoledronic acid 5mg was the most efficacious treatment for reducing hip fractures whereas risedronate was the most effective for nonvertebral-nonhip fractures. When weighted for types of fractures, impact on cost and quality of life, and incidence, zoledronic acid presented with the greatest overall benefit.