Patient satisfaction in postmenopausal women treated with a weekly bisphosphonate transitioned to once-monthly ibandronate.
OBJECTIVE
CURRENT, a large, open-label, 6-month, multicenter study, was designed to assess patient satisfaction levels and patient treatment preference after switching from weekly oral bisphosphonates to monthly oral ibandronate for a period of 6 months.


METHODS
This study enrolled postmenopausal women who had taken a weekly oral bisphosphonate for at least 3 months for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis or osteopenia at the time of screening. Enrolled patients were switched to 150 mg monthly ibandronate. At baseline and 6 months, patients completed the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSAT-Q), consisting of four domains. Scores were converted to composite satisfaction scores (scale of 0-100). At 6 months, patients completed the Preference Questionnaire. Adverse events were monitored throughout.


RESULTS
The intent-to-treat population comprised 1678 patients. OPSAT-Q composite satisfaction scores improved by 9 points by month 6 despite the high mean baseline summary scores (80.1 points). Convenience, overall satisfaction, and quality of life domain scores improved by 15.6, 12, and 9.2 points, respectively. Increased satisfaction was reported by the majority of patients at month 6 (70.4%). Patients who reported stomach upset or suboptimal compliance with prestudy weekly bisphosphonate treatment were more likely to report improved satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] for stomach upset 2.98, 95% CI 1.52, 6.50, p = 0.0026; suboptimal compliance 1.82, 95% CI 1.13-3.04, p = 0.017). After 6 months, 73.6% of patients preferred monthly ibandronate to weekly bisphosphonates. The most frequently occurring adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (3.2% of patients), dyspepsia (2.5%), fracture (2.4%), arthralgia (2.3%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease, diarrhea, and nausea (2.2% each).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients previously using weekly bisphosphonates reported improved satisfaction with monthly ibandronate dosing.
Bonnick
Sydney Lou
SL
Clinical Research Center of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76210, USA. sbonnickcrcnt@verizon.net
Silverman
Stuart
S
Tanner
S Bobo
SB
Martens
Mark
M
Bachmann
Gloria
G
Kohles
Joseph D
JD
Civitelli
Roberto
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D057915:Drug Substitution / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid