ENHANCING BONE STRENGTH AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: A META-ANALYSIS OF COMBINED TERIPARATIDE AND BISPHOSPHONATE THERAPY IN OSTEOPOROSIS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Introduction: This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of combined teriparatide and bisphosphonate treatment in managing osteoporosis, with a particular focus on its implications for bone health and athletic performance. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of medical databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to December 16, 2020. The analysis focused on effect sizes, bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using both fixed-effect and random-effect models. Results: Seven RCTs involving 2,171 patients were included. The combination therapy significantly improved BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck and reduced the incidence of vertebral fragility fractures. Bone formation, as assessed by bone turnover markers, was significantly enhanced. Additionally, the treatment was associated with distinct differences in the incidence of adverse events. Conclusions: The administration of combined teriparatide and bisphosphonate treatment significantly enhances BMD and bone strength, crucial for athletes’ skeletal health and performance. The treatment was also found to be safe, supporting its use in managing osteoporosis in populations at risk of bone injuries, including athletes. This combination therapy could be particularly beneficial in sports medicine, providing a strategy to improve bone resilience and reduce fracture risks in athletic individuals.