Health-related quality of life among patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with weekly and monthly bisphosphonates.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to assess the effect of monthly ibandronate on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis previously treated with weekly bisphosphonates.


METHODS
HR-QoL was assessed by Euroqol (EQ-5D) and Osteoporosis Targeted Quality of Life (OPTQoL) questionnaires.


RESULTS
The EQ-5D questionnaire showed significant improvement associated with ibandronate treatment, occurring in mobility (p < 0.01), usual activity (p < 0.01), pain/discomfort (p < 0.05), and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). In addition, ibandronate treatment considerably improved patients' perceived health on a visual analog scale (p < 0.001). For the OPTQoL questionnaire, patients reported less physical difficulty (p < 0.001), fewer adaptations in their lives (p < 0.001), and less fear (p < 0.001) with ibandronate than with weekly bisphosphonates.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that patients who were transferred from weekly bisphosphonates to a monthly ibandronate experienced improved HR-QoL.
Kastelan
Darko
D
Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. dkastelan@inet.hr
Vlak
Tonko
T
Lozo
Petar
P
Gradiser
Marina
M
Mijic
Sime
S
Nikolic
Tatjana
T
Miskic
Blazenka
B
Car
Dolores
D
Tajsic
Gordana
G
Dusek
Tina
T
Jajic
Zrinka
Z
Grubisic
Frane
F
Poljicanin
Tamara
T
Bakula
Miro
M
Dzubur
Fedja
F
Strizak-Ujevic
Matilda
M
Kadojic
Mira
M
Radman
Maja
M
Vugrinec
Maja
M
Kuster
Zeljka
Z
Pekez
Marijeta
M
Radovic
Endi
E
Labar
Ljubica
L
Crncevic-Orlic
Zeljka
Z
Korsic
Mirko
M
D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid