CRD Summary: The authors concluded that intermittent low-dose teriparatide reduced vertebral and non-vertebral fractures and increased mineral bone density in postmenopausal women, but further long-term safety research was required. The authors’ conclusions appeared to reflect the results, but small sample sizes for some comparisons and unknown study quality made it difficult to assess their reliability.

CRD Commentary: The review question was clearly stated and inclusion criteria were appropriately defined. Several relevant sources were searched and attempts were made to minimise publication bias. It was unclear whether attempts were made to minimise language bias. Appropriate methods were used to minimise reviewer error and bias during the review process. Only RCTs were included and validity was reputedly assessed, but results of the validity assessment were not reported and so the quality of the studies was unknown. In view of the small number of studies that used different controls, a narrative synthesis was appropriate. The conclusion refered to intermittent regimens, but it was not clear from the paper that intermittent dosing regimens were indeed used. In addition, results data and levels of statistically significance were not consistently presented, so it was not possible to verify all findings reported in the review. The authors’ conclusions appeared to reflect the results, but small sample sizes for some comparisons and unknown study quality made it difficult to assess their reliability.