[Fragility of scientifically acquired data. The example of fluoride salts in osteoporosis].

Although there is a pathophysiological rationale for the use of sodium fluoride for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and a long history of clinical trials, there is no evidence today of its clinical efficacy. The use of sodium fluoride was a long-standing practice for many years which became official policy when strong scientific arguments suggested its efficacy. The lack of methodologically solid evidence however raised some doubts, echoed by the regulatory authorities, and led to a re-evaluation. The unacceptable risk/benefit ratio demonstrated by the new results was a major scientific event giving the scientific community a concrete example of why evidence provided by clinical research must be regularly revisited.