A Tool to Help Decide How Long to Take Bone-Strengthening Medicine
Calculator for Length of Use of Bisphosphonates (CLUB)
This project is creating a tool to help doctors and patients decide the best length of time to take bone-strengthening medications for osteoporosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137634 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones, especially in older adults, and bisphosphonate medications are often used to prevent these fractures. However, there are concerns about rare but serious side effects, such as unusual thigh bone fractures or jaw problems, which have led to fewer people using these important medicines. Current guidelines for when to take a break from these medications (called a drug holiday) are based on limited information, mostly from healthy, white, postmenopausal women. This project will gather information from a wide range of men and women, different races, and those with other health conditions to better understand the risks and benefits of long-term bisphosphonate use and drug holidays. The goal is to develop a calculator that helps personalize decisions about how long each patient should take these medications, balancing the benefits of preventing fractures with the risks of side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant for older adults, both men and women, of all races and ethnicities, who are taking or considering bisphosphonate medications for osteoporosis.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have osteoporosis or are not taking bisphosphonate medications would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help patients and their doctors make more informed decisions about how long to take bisphosphonate medications, potentially reducing side effects while maintaining bone health.
How similar studies have performed: While bisphosphonates are proven to prevent fractures, the optimal duration of treatment and the risks of drug holidays across diverse populations are still being clarified, making this a novel approach to personalized decision-making.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carbone, Laura D — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Carbone, Laura D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.