Dr. Gregory Curfman, MD (Executive editor of JAMA) writes on the chronological legal progress of a lawsuit stemming from rare instances of atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate (alendronate) use. While alendronate was FDA approved in 1995 for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and legal action was initiated in 2011, there is still no legal resolution to this issue. 

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a specific class of antacid drugs, are among the most widely used medications of all. They are frequently prescribed to many groups of patients, including those with rheumatism. PPIs are used to prevent the stomach problems that can arise from taking certain anti-inflammatory drugs.

The “Controversies in Vitamin D” International Conference has published their proceedings on vitamin D metabolism, assessment, actions, and supplementation. Interestingly, optimal levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are still being debated. Varying recommendations by society with significant differences in assays.