title: Quality of life assessment in Taiwanese patients with bone metastases from breast cancer receiving zoledronic acid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aimed to examine the impact of zoledronic acid therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Taiwanese patients with bone metastases from breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with bone metastases from breast cancer who received zoledronic acid according to the standards of care were enrolled in this observational phase IV study. HRQoL was measured monthly using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire 30 (QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer-specific module (BR-23) for 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 366 patients from 13 centers were enrolled. QLQ C-30 demonstrated that zoledronic acid improved the HRQoL in different aspects. In particular, a significant reduction of pain in the first 14 months and the 22-month follow-up was reported by patients. QLQ-BR23 indicated improved future perspective and breast symptom scores over the course of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm the HRQoL benefits and safety of zoledronic acid in Taiwanese patients with bone metastases from breast cancer.
authors: Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC. mifeho@kmu.edu.tw.
authors: Ta-Chung
authors: TC
authors: Chao
authors: Dar-Ren
authors: DR
authors: Chen
authors: Tsu-Yi
authors: TY
authors: Chao
authors: Shin-Cheh
authors: SC
authors: Chen
authors: Dah-Cherng
authors: DC
authors: Yeh
authors: Hwei-Chung
authors: HC
authors: Wang
authors: Wen-Tsung
authors: WT
authors: Huang
authors: Kun-Ming
authors: KM
authors: Rau
authors: King-Jen
authors: KJ
authors: Chang
authors: Tsen-Long
authors: TL
authors: Yang
authors: Kuan-Der
authors: KD
authors: Lee
authors: Cheng-Jeng
authors: CJ
authors: Tai
authors: Ling-Ming
authors: LM
authors: Tseng
authors: Ming-Feng
authors: MF
authors: Hou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013624:Taiwan; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
keywords: Zoledronic acid; bone metastases; breast cancer; quality of life