Preserving Geriatric Muscle With an Osteoporosis Medication

Inclusion Criteria:

Ambulatory male and female residents with osteoporosis or low bone mass (at risk for fracture) age 65 and older will be considered if: 1) they reside in an institution (nursing home, assisted living facility or senior community) and; 2) they have osteoporosis as diagnosed by a) BMD (spine, hip or forearm BMD T-score ≤ -2.5 SD), b) a previous adult fragility spine or hip fracture, or c) have osteopenia but would be treated based on FRAX and the BHOF treatment thresholds of a 10-year major fracture risk of ≥ 20% or ≥ 3% hip fracture risk using femoral neck BMD.

Exclusion Criteria:

We will exclude residents with subacute illnesses surviving or those with life expectancy \<1 year. We will exclude those currently on a related therapy (including a bisphosphonate, Denosumab, teriparatide, abaloparatide, or romosozumab) or who have been on a bisphosphonate for \>1 year during the previous 2 years because some bisphosphonates are long acting. We will exclude subjects with a history of hypocalcemia or contraindication for treatment or those who are on systemic glucocorticoids that may lower muscle strength. We will screen for these conditions by detailed history, chart review, and baseline laboratory analyses. Participants with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels \<25 ng/mL will be treated with vitamin D 50,000 IU/wk for 8 weeks. The patient will be enrolled if the follow-up vitamin D level is 25 ng/mL or more. Patients will be allowed to continue on anticonvulsants because use is common in this population. Women on hormone replacement, raloxifene, or residents prescribed protective hip pads will be allowed to participate and continue on these therapies. We will suggest participants stop calcitonin due to cancer concerns.