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Peng Zhang
Microneedle‐based drug delivery is increasingly explored as a novel route for administering anti‐osteoporotic therapies, offering potential advantages such as reduced pain, improved compliance, and targeted transdermal absorption. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy and safety of microneedle interventions for osteoporosis or related bone conditions. Five databases (Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, and Elsevier) were searched from inception through January 2025, yielding 4239 records. After screening and full‐text assessment, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing both animal experiments and clinical trials. Data extraction focused on four outcome domains: pharmacokinetics (PK/PD), bone‐related parameters (e.g., bone mineral density), safety (adverse events), and adherence. Random‐effects models were used where appropriate to accommodate high heterogeneity. Results showed that while some fixed‐effect analyses hinted at modest improvements in PK measures and bone indicators, the random‐effects estimates generally found no significant advantage over traditional administration routes due to substantial heterogeneity (I² typically above 90%). Safety data, albeit limited, suggested no heightened adverse event risk in microneedle groups. Adherence outcomes were inconclusive, as very few studies explicitly reported robust comparative data. These findings highlight the promise of microneedles but also the need for larger, standardized trials to establish their definitive efficacy in osteoporosis.
