Prevalence and risk factors of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in prostate cancer patients with advanced disease treated with zoledronate.
BACKGROUND
In addition to other treatments, patients with prostate cancer (pCA) and bone metastasis receive bisphosphonates. Since 2003, a previously unknown side-effect of bisphosphonates-bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BP-ONJ)-has been described, and frequency has since increased. An exact incidence is still unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and additional factors in the development of BP-ONJ.


METHODS
From July 2006 to October 2007, patients with advanced pCA and osseous metastasis receiving bisphosphonate therapy in the Department of Urology or Haematology and Oncology at the Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany, received a dental examination. In all, 43 patients were included.


METHODS
Patients were checked for exposed bone, osteonecrosis, mucosal defects, inflammation, and oral hygiene. Further points were the applied bisphosphonate, co-medication, the duration of application, and possible trigger factors for BP-ONJ.


CONCLUSIONS
Eight of 43 patients developed BP-ONJ (18.6%). All patients had received zoledronate at least 14 times. Two patients had received bondronate, and one patient had received pamidronate before switching to zoledronate. All patients had had a previous tooth extraction or a denture pressure sore, and all patients had received additional chemotherapy and corticosteroids.


CONCLUSIONS
The reason for this relatively high incidence compared to other studies might be the prospective study design and thorough dental examination. In studies with such small numbers as have been published to date, nondetection or nonreported cases of BP-ONJ have an influence on the outcome. The incidence of BP-ONJ in patients with pCA might be an underestimated problem.
Walter
Christian
C
Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany. walter@mkg.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Al-Nawas
Bilal
B
Grötz
Knut A
KA
Thomas
Christian
C
Thüroff
Joachim W
JW
Zinser
Viktoria
V
Gamm
Heinold
H
Beck
Joachim
J
Wagner
Wilfried
W
D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid