Use of pamidronate for osteoporosis treatment in public health care in Brazil

Abstract Purpose: The use of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis is effective in reducing the risk of fractures. However, oral formulations are sometimes not well tolerated or are contraindicated. Due to its availability in Brazilian public health system, pamidronate is frequently prescribed for osteoporosis, despite the lack of studies demonstrating its anti-fracture efficacy and the absence of FDA or EMEA approval for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) response to pamidronate in a group of women with osteoporosis in a tertiary care hospital. Patients and methods: The medical records of women with osteoporosis who received pamidronate for up to two years of treatment were reviewed. Patients were stratified at high or intermediate risk of fracture. Results: A total of 70 women were in treatment with pamidronate. Among them, 74% were at high risk of fracture. A significant gain in spine BMD after 24 months of treatment was observed (p = 0.012). There was no difference between the groups of high and not high risk of fracture. At the femur, no significant increase in BMD was present, though, a strong negative correlation with high PTH levels (r = −0.61; p = 0.003) was seen. In the multivariate analysis BMI at 12 months had impact in the response to the treatment. Conclusion The intravenous pamidronate in a group of postmenopausal women with predominant high risk of fracture promoted an isolated gain in the spine BMD, even though, clinical randomized trials are needed to confirm its anti-fracture efficacy.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Zanatta,Leila Bianchet, Marcatto,Cristina, Ramos,Cassio Slompo, Mañas,Nadila, Moreira,Carolina, Borba,Victoria
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia 2017
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0482-50042017000600514
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!