The efficacy of bisphosphonates for osteoporotic fracture has been consistently reported in recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling hundreds of patients. The objective of this study was to update knowledge on the efficacy of available bisphosphonates in the prevention of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures.

An approach “using systematic reviews” on PubMed and Cochrane Library was taken. Twenty-four RCTs investigating the effects of bisphosphonates for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture were included in final analysis. A pairwise meta-analysis was conducted with a random effects model. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the type of bisphosphonate.

The use of bisphosphonate decrease the risk of overall osteoporotic fracture (odds ratio [OR] 0.62; P <0.001), vertebral fracture (OR 0.55; P <0.001) and non-vertebral fracture (OR 0.73; P <0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that zoledronic acid showed the lowest risk reduction (OR 0.61; P <0.001) for overall osteoporotic fractures but no significance was observed for etidronate (OR 0.34; P =0.127).

This update meta-analysis re-confirmed that bisphosphonate use can effectively reduce the risk of osteoporotic fracture. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding etidronate for the prevention of osteoporotic fracture.