The effectiveness of current treatments for osteoporosis is limited by poor patient compliance.
Zoledronic acid
or zoledronate (ZA) is a bisphosphonate drug which is given intravenously to
treat some bone diseases. This study provides valuable insights into the use of
ZA in real-world settings. This treatment with once-yearly dosing of ZA
improves adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with osteoporosis.
The effectiveness
of current treatments for osteoporosis is limited by poor patient compliance.
However, a favorable dosing regimen of zoledronic acid (ZA) has the potential
to improve patient compliance and thus clinical outcomes.
The author
conducted a retrospective analysis to examine adherence to and the
antiosteoporotic effects of a once-yearly infusion of 5 mg of ZA in Taiwanese
patients with osteoporosis for up to 48 months. Five men and 149 postmenopausal
women (mean age, 77.1 years) were included. Prior to ZA treatment, 66.2% of
patients had fractures; most patients discontinued previous treatments due to
compliance or convenience issues. Approximately 85% of patients received at
least 2 infusions of ZA.
Following ZA
treatment, bone mineral density improved from baseline at 12 months (11% from
baseline; P=.01) and 48 months (20.7% from baseline; P=.009). In addition,
there was a significant reduction in mean beta-C-telopeptide at all-time points
from 12 (P<.001) to 36 months (P=.010). New clinical fractures occurred in
16 (10.4%) patients, of which 12 patients experienced a single fracture.
Zoledronic acid had an acceptable safety profile; no adverse events were
considered to be drug related. Treatment with ZA improved bone health by
enhancing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover, even in high-risk
patients.
Low fracture
rates and high adherence further elucidate the benefits of ZA in the treatment
of osteoporosis.
Orthopedics 2016 Mar 1;39(2): e263-70
Effectiveness and Safety of Zoledronic Acid in the Treatment of Osteoporosis
Po-Ching Hsieh
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