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Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

From: Do bisphosphonates affect bone healing? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Study (country) years

Gender (M/F)

Number of patients (bisphosphonate/control)

Mean age (years)

Selection criteria

Intervention (calcium and/or vitamin D)

Time of starting treatment

Fracture healing criteria

Outcome measured

van der Poest et al. (Netherlands) 2000 [7]

F

18/17

65.7

Distal forearm fractures, T-score ≤ 2

10 mg alendronate + 500 mg calcium vs. placebo + 500 mg calcium

2–4 weeks after fracture

Radiographs and functional outcome

BMD, bone markers, fracture healing

Adolphson et al. (Sweden) 2000 [5]

F

16/16

62

Displaced Colles' fracture; postmenopausal women

400 mg clodronate vs. placebo

48 h after fracture

Did not provide

BMD, function

Harding et al. (Sweden) 2011 [14]

M and F

25/21

48.9

Patients with osteoarthritis or deformity of knee; age between 35–65 years old

4 mg zoledronic acid vs. 9 mg/mL sodium chloride

4 weeks postoperation

Consolidation of about two-thirds of the osteotomy gap by radiographic examination

Time to healing; BMD

Nagahama et al. (Japan) 2011 [12]

M and F

19/17

68.9

Candidated for single-level PLIF; BMD was less than 70% of the young adult mean value

35 mg/week alendronate vs. 1 μg/day alfacalcidol

Just postoperation

Bridging bone formation through the cage by CT scan

BMD, bone union

Colon-Emeric et al. (USA, Norway, Belgium, Canada) 2011 [13]

M and F

1,065/1,062

Not reported

Patients within 90 days of hip fracture repair

5 mg zoledronic acid vs. placebo

Within 90 days postoperation

Clinical symptoms: without persistent pain, bear weight Radiographic examination

Fracture healing

Kim et al. (Korea) 2012 [3]

M and F

90/0

76.1

Patients with intertrochanteric fracture; BMD < −2.5

35 mg/week risedronate + 1,200 mg/day calcium + 800 IU/day cholecalciferol

2 weeks vs. 1 month vs. 3 months after operation

At least two cortices bridging at the fracture site

Fracture healing, function

Gong et al. (Korea) 2012 [15]

F

60/0

66.5

Distal radial fractures treated with plate fixation; BMD < −2.5

70 mg/week alendronate

2 weeks vs. 3 months after operation

Bridging by trabeculae or osseous bone in at least one cortex as seen on anteroposterior radiographs and one as seen on lateral radiographs

Fracture healing, function; complication

Li et al. (China) 2012 [16]

M and F

41/41

63.73

Patients undergoing TLIF

5 mg zoledronic acid + calcium 1000 mg/day + vitamin D 400 IU/day vs. placebo + calcium 1000 mg/day + vitamin D 400 IU/day

3 days postoperation

Bridging bony trabeculation through the cage by CT scan

Interbody fusion rate; function; biochemical assessment