There is an (alleged) issue of bone and spine healing (do a GOOGLE on “bone spine healing repair cox-2″ and you will see what I mean! – Independent Research, from VERY reputable resources supports what I am indicating).

There are likely (alleged, but has methodology behind it) a LOT involved here, and it would be a great study point.

Take it a bit futher and do a study on FOSAMAX.

If possible to take futher and do a more complex study (maybe it is not possible yet, but the concept seems to have merit) of the CONCURRENT USE of FOSAMAX AND VIOXX (Vioxx is a cox-2 inhibitor, one of, or the strongest – and as we know, is off the marekt).

I submit that the above would not only help test the new modeling techniques, it would help refine it, and it would also have very practical use right now!

Additoinal info:

Cox-2 inhibitors are (alleged…) to inhibit/stop bone and spine healing as they are too powerful of an anti-inflammatory. The initial anti-inflammatory stage (especially the first 3-4 weeks) after a broken bone or spine (or an orthopedic operation) is critical – it signals the body’s internal signals to fix the problem…without that initial stage; the body does not know to mend the bone or spine, and after that 3-4 week period, even if the cox-2 inhibitor is stopped – one is past the stage for effective healing.

Bio-phosphates, such as FOSAMAX (also made by Merck) work on the bone in yet another manner. The body has a natural bone regeneration process – it constantly is breaking down and re-building bone. That process is essential and keeps the bone from getting old and brittle – and thus the bone is “newer” and more pliable. When a bio-phosphate is used, the process is disrupted. The “osteoclasts” responsible for breaking the bone down (and then stimulating the rebuilding of bone/spine via “osteoblasts”) There is a GREAT DEAL of Independent Research here also.

Thus the proposed study would involve:

Cox-2 inhibitors (Vioxx would be the best to utilize) on bone and spine healing.

Bio-phosphates on bone health; which needs definition (such as how many more are apt to break, is there a net benefit or a net negative…).

Ideally, but quite possibly premature for the model developed and no doubt undergoing continued refinement would be the combination (concurrent use in particular) of Cox-2 inhibitors and Bio-phosphates).

I am quite certain such study would not only help tune the model, etc. but would really help the publc now. It may lead to a GREAT deal of saving over the short and long run, as these patients, without proper intervention, will add dramatically to public costs in nursing homes, premature retirement, operations, etc.

Lastly, based upon how the model works, it wold not be difficult to follow up and do emprical analysis of cause-effect on these medicatoins and bone and spine healing. They are discretely (almst as can get) and not hard to identify events.

I hope that this helps and provides input to what I see as such an essential tool – when I first learned about this, a few weeks ago, I was so delighted in the concept.

Thank You,

Sincerely

Dennis Harrison
MBA – BGS