Deardorff WJ, Cenzer I, Nguyen B, et al. - As there is a necessity to balance shorter-term harms and burdens (eg, gastroesophageal irritation or severe musculoskeletal pain) of bisphosphonate therapy with its longer-term benefits in reducing potential fractures among patients initiating the therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis, researchers sought to determine the time to benefit (TTB) of bisphosphonate therapy for the prevention of nonvertebral and other fractures among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

• A total of 10 randomized clinical trials involving 23,384 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were included in this meta-analysis.

• Findings suggest the necessity of 12.4 months to avert 1 nonvertebral fracture per 100 women who received bisphosphonate therapy.

• Overall, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who have a life expectancy greater than 12.4 months are most likely to benefit from bisphosphonate therapy.