Oestrogens versus placebo: 11 RCTs (447 participants).
Calcitonins versus placebo: 12 RCTs (687 participants).
Biphosphonates versus placebo: 8 RCTs (453 participants).
Oestrogens versus placebo: Global effect size: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.80, p < 0.00001), Q = 38.59 (p < 0.00001). After the removal of one study, recalculated effect size: 0.54 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.73, p < 0.00001), Q = 14.76 (p = 0.10). Sensitivity analyses found only the type of oestrogen and monthly drug dose used significant.
Calcitonins versus placebo: Global effect size: 1.02 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.20, p < 0.00001), Q = 339.26 (p < 0.00001). After removal of 4 outliers, the recalculated effect size: 0.41 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.61, p = 0.00001), Q = 13.19 (p = 0.07). Sensitivity analyses were not significant.
Biphosphonates versus placebo: Global effect size: 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.07, p < 0.00001), Q = 10.89 (p = 0.14). None of the sensitivity analyses were significant.