High Incidence of Hypocalcemia and Serum Creatinine Increase in Patients with Bone Metastases Treated with Zoledronic Acid

Abstract

Background. Zoledronic acid belongs to the new generation of bisphosphonates with demonstrated clinical benefit for the treatment of bone metastases from different kinds of neoplasms. Hypocalcemia and serum creatinine elevation are expected adverse events during this therapy. The monitoring of serum calcium and creatinine is therefore recommended. The primary aim of this study was to establish the actual incidence of hypocalcemia and serum creatinine elevation during treatment with zoledronic acid. Skeletal-related events and side effects were also assessed.Methods. Serum creatinine and calcium levels were evaluated in 240 consecutive patients (83 males, 157 females; mean age, 62 years) with metastatic bone lesions from different solid tumors treated with zoledronic acid.Results. Overall, 93 of 240 patients (38.8%) developed

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