A new study gives hope that a single yearly dose of medicine may fight the debilitating bone-loss-disease osteoporosis.

Researchers conducted a year-long study on post-menopausal women, giving them intravenous infusions of zoledronic acid. The results showed bone density increased even in those given a single, annual dose.

The report, in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, provides an attractive option in the battle against osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures and hunched backs, especially in older women. Current treatment involves taking a tablet each day. A strict regimen in administering the daily pill, and occasional side effects, lead some patients to abandon their medicine.

Further studies are under way to determine the long term benefits of an annual dose.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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