Bisphosphonates for the preservation of periprosthetic bone mineral density after total joint arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials

Summary The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of bisphosphonates (BPs) on preservation of periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after joint arthroplasty. It confirmed the protective effect of BPs in a long-term follow-up, and found the influence factors on this effect. Introduction Periprosthetic bone loss is believed to cause aseptic loosening and failed prosthetic fixation in joint arthroplasty. This meta-analysis which included high-quality randomized controlled trials aimed to analyze the effect of bisphosphonates on maintaining periprosthetic bone mineral density after total joint arthroplasty. Methods Twenty-five RCTs were included and the total number of participants was 1163 by computerized searches of bibliographic databases. The weighted mean differences with 95% confidence interval were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of BPs on total periprosthetic BMD and the BMD of different Gruen zones. Subgroup analyses identified the potentially influencing factors such as surgical site, cement fixation, and generation of BPs. A descriptive review was conducted for BP-related adverse effects. Results The BPs group presented significantly higher total periprosthetic BMD in the BPs group than that in the control group at 3, 6, 12 months, 2–4 years, and 5–10 years after arthroplasty ( P