The effect of alendronate therapy on osteoporotic fracture in the vertebral fracture arm of the Fracture Intervention Trial.

Results from the now-complete Vertebral Fracture Study have been reported elsewhere. The purpose of this report is to review these results in the context of the overall design and implementation of the Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT), and to comment on their implications for clinical practice. The FIT results have important implications for the treatment of osteoporosis in clinical practice. The 51% decrease in the incidence of hip fracture represents the first documentation of any medication's ability to prevent fractures of the hip in community-dwelling women. The 48% reduction in the incidence of morphometrically documented vertebral fracture is also important, as these types of fracture are associated with significant pain and disability and are predictive of future vertebral and hip fractures.