title: Home infusions of biphosphonate in cancer patients: a prospective study.
abstract: The objective of the study was to determine outcome and satisfaction of cancer patients treated by home-infusions of biphosphonates. 107 patients entered the study and 97 of them chose to receive infusions of zoledronic acid (Z) in the home setting. Patient satisfaction and quality of care (QoC) were assessed by a 22-item questionnaire. Changes from baseline were determined for bone pain using a 0-10 cm visual analogue scale pain score (VAS). Patients expressed a high level of satisfaction specifically with regard to nursing care. Seventy patients experienced a significant decrease in the median pain score during the home-therapy phase not due to an increased use of analgesic therapy (P = 0.03). Z was well tolerated with no major adverse events. The authors conclude that home infusions of biphosphonates, on the condition that the supportive care team is well-organized, is a safe procedure that could be advantageous for patients by increasing satisfaction and compliance with treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre Regional de Lutte Contre le Cancer Antoine-Lacassagne (Canceropôle PACA), Nice, France. antoineitaliano@cario.fr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Italiano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciais
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chamorey
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Marcy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Largillier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thyss
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid