Increases in bone mineral density (BMD) with
osteoporosis treatment are associated with reduced fracture risk. Increasing BMD is therefore a goal of
osteoporosis therapy. Here, we compare the probability of achieving a T-score of > -2.5 over 3 years at the total hip (TH) or lumbar spine (LS) in women with
osteoporosis, ≥55 years of age, after the following treatment sequences: 1 year
romosozumab followed by 2 years
denosumab (FRAME and FRAME extension trials), 1 year
romosozumab followed by 2 years
alendronate, or
alendronate-only for 3 years (ARCH trial). Probabilities of attaining the BMD target within 1 year of treatment were also determined. At both skeletal sites, in women with a baseline Tscore ≥ -2.7, there was >50% probability of achieving the BMD target with any 3-year regimen. The probability of achieving the target BMD in those with a baseline TH Tscore equal to -3.0 was 61% with
romosozumab/
denosumab, 38% with
romosozumab/
alendronate, and 9% with
alendronate. In those with a baseline LS Tscore equal to -3.0, the probability of achieving a T-score > -2.5 was 93% with
romosozumab/
denosumab, 81% with
romosozumab/
alendronate, and 55% with
alendronate. With 1 year of treatment, in patients with a baseline TH T-score equal to -2.7, the probability of reaching the target Tscore with
romosozumab was 71% to 78% and 38% with
alendronate. For patients with an initial LS T-score equal to -3.0, the probability of achieving the target T-score over 1 year was 85% to 86% with
romosozumab and 25% for
alendronate. Our findings suggest baseline BMD and the probability of achieving BMD T-score goals are factors to consider when selecting initial treatment for patients with
osteoporosis. As baseline T-score falls below -2.7 (TH) and -3.0 (LS),
alendronate has <50% likelihood of achieving a BMD goal above
osteoporosis range, whereas these probabilities remain relatively high for regimens beginning with
romosozumab. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and
Mineral Research.