Denosumab Therapy for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Introduction to Denosumab Therapy
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes denosumab 60mg every 6 months as an established treatment for fracture prevention in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis 1
Patient Risk Factors and Denosumab Efficacy
- Long-term extension studies showed sustained efficacy with continued denosumab treatment for up to 10 years, with estimated relative risk of new vertebral fractures of 0.62 (95% CI 0.47-0.80) in patients with risk factors such as age and low calcium intake 1
- Age is a significant risk factor that increases fracture risk, and denosumab has been shown to be effective in reducing this risk 1
- A history of falls, such as falling in the bathroom, increases fracture risk and denosumab can help mitigate this risk 1
- A history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) may affect balance and fall risk, and denosumab can be beneficial in reducing fracture risk in these patients 1
Safety and Efficacy of Denosumab
- Denosumab has a favorable safety profile with adverse events similar to placebo in clinical trials, and common side effects include arthralgia, nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory infections 1
- The patient's dental evaluation within 6 months with no concerns is appropriate given the rare risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, and denosumab can be safely administered 1