[Role of pharmaceutical intervention in the treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of fracture].

Evidences of reduction in fracture risk have been accumulated increasingly in patients with osteoporosis. More than ten pharmaceutical agents have been shown to be effective to vertebral fracture risk, and six agents are also effective to reduce hip fracture risk as well. Recent analyses are revealing that the uses of agents to prevent fracture are cost-effective, if the agents potently reduce both vertebral and hip fractures. Pharmaceutical intervention, when combined with appropriate nutritional support and low intensity exercise, is currently eligible to be the primary strategy in subjects with increased risk of fracture in the health care of aged persons to maintain their daily activity and quality of life.