Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37770860›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2023

Clinicians' views of prescribing oral and intravenous bisphosphonates for osteoporosis: a qualitative study.

Simon Bishop, Melanie Jay Narayanasamy, Zoe Paskins, Nadia Corp, Anastasios Bastounis, Jill Griffin, Neil Gittoes, Jo Leonardi-Bee, Tessa Langley, Opinder Sahota

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
2.3field-weighted citation impact, top 10% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Observational
  5. The effectiveness of bisphosphonates vs denosumab in people with dementia or frailty post hip fracture: a multi-database cohort study.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2026
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Lactylation-related geneFrontiers in immunology · 2025
    Article
  8. Role of bisphosphonates in osteoporosis caused by adult growth hormone deficiency.Zhong nan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical sciences · 2024
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Simon BishopNottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK. Simon.bishop@nottingham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8527-7081
Melanie Jay NarayanasamySchool of Medicine, University of Nottingham, QMC Campus, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3483-0777
Zoe PaskinsSchool of Medicine, Keele University, David Weatherall Building, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7783-2986
Nadia CorpSchool of Primary, Community and Social Care, Keele University, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, ST5 5BG, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6758-9513
Anastasios BastounisDivision of Epidemiology & Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5861-9373
Jill GriffinRoyal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), St James House, The Square, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3BH, UK.
Neil GittoesInstitute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5963-214X
Jo Leonardi-BeeFaculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0893-6068
Tessa LangleyFaculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9560-1148
Opinder SahotaDepartment of Healthcare of Older People, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG72UH, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0055-7637
University of Nottingham · GBHaywood Community Hospital · GBNottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust · GBRoyal Osteoporosis Society · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBisphosphonate medications, including alendronate, ibandronate and risedronate administered orally and zoledronate, administered intravenously, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis based on evidence that, correctly taken, bisphosphonates can improve bone strength and lead to a reduction in the risk of fragility fractures. However, it is currently unclear how decisions to select between bisphosphonate regimens, including intravenous regimen, are made in practice and how clinicians support patients with different treatments.

methodsThis was an interpretivist qualitative study. 23 semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of general practitioners (GPs), secondary care clinicians, specialist experts as well as those providing and leading novel treatments including participants from a community intravenous (IV) zoledronate service. Data analysis was undertaken through a process of iterative categorisation.

resultsThe results report clinicians varying experiences of making treatment choices, as well as wider aspects of osteoporosis care. Secondary care and specialist clinicians conveyed some confidence in making treatment choices including on selecting IV treatment. This was aided by access to diagnostic testing and medication expertise. In contrast GPs reported a number of challenges in prescribing bisphosphonate medications for osteoporosis and uncertainty about treatment choice. Results also highlight how administering IV zoledronate was seen as an opportunity to engage in broader care practices.

conclusionApproaches to making treatment decisions and supporting patients when prescribing bisphosphonates for osteoporosis vary in practice. This study points to the need to co-ordinate osteoporosis treatment and care across different care providers.

Indexed as

Bone Density Conservation AgentsOsteoporosisOsteoporosis, PostmenopausalAlendronateDiphosphonatesFemaleHumansIbandronic AcidZoledronic AcidAlendronateBone Density Conservation AgentsDiphosphonatesIbandronic AcidZoledronic AcidAdherenceBisphosphonate regimensQualitative researchTreatment choiceZoledronate

Identifiers

PMID37770860
PMCPMC10540377
OpenAlexW4387157864

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.