Length of Bisphosphonate Use and Breaks: Guiding Safe, Long-Term Osteoporosis Care
Official title: Calculator for Length of Use of Bisphosphonates (CLUB)
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11472061 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinician-friendly tool helps older adults and their doctors decide how long to stay on bisphosphonates and whether a drug holiday makes sense.
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 start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $70,905 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG079118-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11472061 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who are treated with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not on bisphosphonate therapy or those without osteoporosis-related fracture risk will not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonates can prevent fractures, but long use and breaks raise questions about safety and fracture risk. This grant brings together a team to study real patient data from Kaiser Permanente to understand how duration of bisphosphonate therapy affects outcomes like atypical fractures and jaw issues. The goal is to clarify when stopping or pausing treatment is beneficial without increasing fracture risk, informing patient conversations and decision-making. The work builds on existing guidelines but aims to provide clearer, evidence-based recommendations for diverse older adults. Results could lead to better personalized plans for BP use and safer long-term care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive clearer guidance on how long to stay on bisphosphonates and when a drug holiday might be appropriate, potentially reducing adverse events while maintaining fracture protection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show mixed results on long-term BP use; this project builds on larger, real-world datasets to refine understanding.
Where this research is happening
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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.