Bisphosphonate safety and efficacy in chronic kidney disease

A new population-based study of elderly patients hospitalized for a fracture and treated with an oral bisphosphonate finds no increased risk of acute kidney injury. The safety and efficacy of bisphosphonates may be different in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The effects on vascular calcifications need further study, because low bone turnover might exacerbate vascular calcifications in patients with CKD. Even if bisphosphonates prove safe, their efficacy in this population is uncertain. Kidney International (2012) 82, 833-835. doi:10.1038/ki.2012.253