Persistence with oral bisphosphonates and denosumab among older adults in primary care in Ireland

Abstract

Summary Gaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce effectiveness. Among older adults, we found about half of new users of oral bisphosphonate and denosumab persisted with their treatment at 2 years, with few switching to alternative therapy. Persistence is suboptimal and warrants evaluation of interventions to improve this. Purpose Gaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate persistence rates for oral bisphosphonates and denosumab in older primary care patients and identify factors associated with discontinuation. Methods Older patients newly prescribed oral bisphosphonates or denosumab during 2012–2017 were identified from 44 general practices (GP) in Ireland. Persistence without a coverage gap of >90 days was calculated for both medications from therapy initiation. Factors associated with time to discontinuation were explored using Cox regression analysis. Exposures included age group, osteoporosis diagnosis, fracture history, calcium/vitamin D prescription, number of other medications, health cover, dosing frequency (bisphosphonates) and previous bone-health medication (denosumab). Results Of 41,901 patients, n=1569 were newly initiated on oral bisphosphonates and n=1615 on denosumab. Two-year persistence was 49.4% for oral bisphosphonates and 53.8% for denosumab and <10% were switched to other medication. Having state-funded health cover was associated with a lower hazard of discontinuation for both oral bisphosphonates (HR=0.49, 95% CI=0.36–0.66, p<0.01) and denosumab (HR=0.71, 95% CI=0.57–0.89, p<0.01). Older age group, number of medications and calcium/vitamin D prescription were also associated with better bisphosphonate persistence, while having osteoporosis diagnosed was associated with better denosumab persistence. Conclusion Persistence for osteoporosis medications is suboptimal. Of concern, few patients are switched to other bone-health treatments when denosumab is stopped which could increase fracture risk. Free access to GP services and medications may have resulted in better medication persistence in this cohort. Future research should explore prescribing choices in primary care osteoporosis management and evaluate cost-effectiveness of interventions for improving persistence.

Clinical Management of Women with Newly Diagnosed Osteoporosis: Data from Everyday Practice in Bulgaria

“…In our study, the percentage of patients on denosumab increased with time, primarily due to the generally decreasing number of patients still on treatment. The continuous use of BPs and denosumab in older adults was explored in more than one study [ 18 , 19 ]. In 100,000 newly initiated older adults in Canada, the duration of denosumab use was longer than that of BPs [ 18 ].…”

“…In this particular study, more BP users had discontinued therapy at day 365 (56.7%) than had the denosumab users (33.8%) [ 18 ]. An Irish study including 44 general practices reported 2-year persistence of 49.4% for oral BPs and 53.8% for denosumab [ 19 ]. Of note, less than 10% of the participants had been switched to other medications [ 19 ].…”

“…An Irish study including 44 general practices reported 2-year persistence of 49.4% for oral BPs and 53.8% for denosumab [ 19 ]. Of note, less than 10% of the participants had been switched to other medications [ 19 ].…”

Optimization of Antiosteoporotic Therapy in Patients with Liver Fibrosis

“…У пацієнток із захворюваннями печінки запропоновано використання різних ліків від остеопорозу, але більшість досліджень включали невелику кількість пацієнток, що обумовлює відсутність консенсусу з цього питання [8,9].…”

“…Бісфосфонати -антикатаболічні препарати, які збільшують кісткову масу та зменшують частоту переломів при постменопаузальному остеопорозі [10]. Їх вплив на перебіг захворювань печінки на сьогоднішній день не повністю визначений в осно-вному через невелику кількість досліджень та невелику кількість пролікованих пацієнток [5,6,8,9] Для включення в дослідження усім пацієнткам виключали наявність вірусних гепатитів В, С, у дослідження включали пацієнток із нормальними значеннями аланін та аспартатамінторансферази для виключення псевдопозитивної діагностики фіброзу печінки внаслідок ущільнення печінкової тканини на фоні запалення. Усі досліджені пацієнтки знаходились у менопаузі із середнім строком 7,8±3,5 років.…”