(J Rheumatol First Release Feb 1 2008)

Editorial

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: New Developments in an Old Disease

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ALIYA KHAN, MD, FRCPC, FACP,
Department of Medicine,
1280 Main Street West,
Divisions of Endocrinology and Geriatrics,
McMaster University,
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
E-mail: aliya@mcmaster.ca

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SUMMARY

Low-dose bisphosphonate therapy is widely used for patients with osteoporosis or Paget's disease. A relationship between low-dose bisphosphonates administered orally or intravenously and osteonecrosis of the jaw has not been established. This editorial offers perspective on a recent article by Etminan and colleagues published online in The Journal. Their retrospective cohort study evaluating the use of oral bisphosphonates and risk of aseptic osteonecrosis in elderly patients living in Quebec found an increased relative risk of osteonecrosis at any site among bisphosphonate users.