Renal function changes and NHS resource use in breast cancer patients with metastatic bone disease treated with IV zoledronic acid or oral ibandronic acid: a four-centre non-interventional study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe renal function monitoring practice in patients with metastatic bone disease (MBD) treated with IV zoledronic acid (ZA) and oral ibandronic acid (IA), the management pathways and NHS hospital resources used.


METHODS
Medical records of 189 patients; IA (91), ZA (98) with primary breast cancer and MBD were reviewed, and data collected on renal monitoring and hospital visits during bisphosphonate therapy. Time and motion review of resources to administer the bisphosphonates was also conducted.


RESULTS
Only 30% of patients given ZA and no patient given IA had baseline creatinine clearance (CrCl) recorded. Calculated baseline CrCl suggested impaired renal function in 33% ZA and 29% IA patients. Dose reductions were not made correctly in 29 ZA and 2 IA patients whose monitoring suggested it. ZA patients made more clinic and day care attendances than IA-treated patients, at twice the cost. Staff activity and patient time per visit was higher with ZA than IA.


CONCLUSIONS
Although limited by retrospective design, these results demonstrate that in many patients, CrCl is not calculated before or during treatment with bisphosphonates. Renal function deteriorated in many patients during therapy. In view of these effects, practice should be reviewed to ensure appropriate dosing.
St Luke's Cancer Centre, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
S
S
Houston
R J
RJ
Grieve
T
T
Hickish
F
F
Percival
E
E
Hamilton
D000284:Administration, Oral; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D013222:State Medicine; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid