title: Management of pain in elderly patients receiving infusion of zoledronic acid for bone metastasis: a single-institution report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bone metastases are a common cause of morbidity in elderly patients with solid tumors and myeloma. We studied the safety and the effect of a new bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA), on pain and on quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with bone metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2004 to December 2005, we have enrolled elderly patients with bone metastasis for receiving ZA administration. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire were used to assess potential benefits of ZA therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six patients were included; the median age was 75.5 years. Before starting treatment, the mean VAS was 6.8 (+/-0.24), after three infusions 5.4 (+/-0.3), and after six courses 4.5 (+/-0.3) with a significant improvement of bone pain. Moreover, we found a statistically significant improvement of QoL measured by FACT-G questionnaire after six courses (p = 0.010). Median baseline and final value of serum creatinine were 0.73 and 0.72 mg/dl, respectively (p = 0.11); creatinine clearance was also normal for most patients. Osteonecrosis of the jaw was diagnosed in one patient who received a prolonged ZA treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm the benefits of ZA on pain and QoL also in elderly patients with bone metastasis from solid tumors.
authors: UOC Oncologia, S Giovanni di Dio Hospital, ASL Napoli3 Via Giovanni XXIII 80020 Frattaminore, Naples, Italy. lelloaddeo@alice.it
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Addeo
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Nocera
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Faiola
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Vincenzi
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Ferraro
authors: Liliana
authors: L
authors: Montella
authors: Rosario
authors: R
authors: Guarrasi
authors: Eugenio
authors: E
authors: Rossi
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Cennamo
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Tonini
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Capasso
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Santini
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Caraglia
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Del Prete
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
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