Denosumab or oral bisphosphonates in primary osteoporosis: a "real-life" study

Effects of the therapy shift from cortisone acetate to modified-release hydrocortisone in a group of patients with adrenal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) may be exposed to supraphysiological glucocorticoids levels during standard treatment with cortisone acetate (CA) or immediate-release hydrocortisone (IR-HC). Recent studies, predominantly including patients in IR-HC treatment, suggested that modified-release hydrocortisone (MRH) provide a more physiological cortisol rhythm, improving metabolic control and quality of life. Our primary aim was to assess clinical and biochemical modifications in patients shifted from CA to MRH.

DESIGN/METHODS

We designed a retrospective longitudinal study, enrolling 45 AI patients (22 primary and 23 secondary AI) treated exclusively with CA thrice daily, shifted to MRH once daily; 29/45 patients concluded at least 18-months follow-up (MRH-group). We recruited 35 AI patients continuing CA as a control group (CA-group). Biochemical and clinical data, including metabolic parameters, bone quality, and symptoms of under- or overtreatment were collected. In 24 patients, a daily salivary cortisol curve (SCC) performed before and one month after shifting to MRH was compared to healthy subjects (HS).

RESULTS

No significant changes in glycometabolic and bone parameters were observed both in MRH and CA-groups during a median follow-up of 35 months. A more frequent decrease in blood pressure values (23.1% vs 2.8%, p=0.04) and improvement of under- or overtreatment symptoms were observed in MRH vs CA-group. The SCC showed a significant steroid overexposure in both CA and MRH-groups compared to HS [AUC (area under the curve) = 74.4 ± 38.1 nmol×hr/L and 94.6 ± 62.5 nmol×hr/L respectively, vs 44.1 ± 8.4 nmol×hr/L, p<0.01 for both comparisons], although SCC profile was more similar to HS in MRH-group.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, patients shifted from CA to equivalent doses of MRH do not show significant glycometabolic modifications but blood pressure control and symptoms of over-or undertreatment may improve. The lack of amelioration in glucose metabolism and total cortisol daily exposure could suggest the need for a dose reduction when shifting from CA to MRH, due to their different pharmacokinetics.

Changes in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry parameters in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who received at least 12 months of denosumab treatment

Background/Aim: Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the receptor-activated nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL). Densosumab leads to a reduction in bone resorption by inhibiting RANKL and has been approved for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP). The present study investigated real life data by evaluating the demographic data of postmenopausal patients with OP who received denosumab treatment and the changes in dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) parameters before and after denosumab treatment. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 49 postmenopausal female patients followed in our OP outpatient clinic who were treated with 60 mg subcutaneous denosumab every six months for at least 12 months. The study retrospectively analyzed and recorded patient age, body mass index, age of menopause, fracture history, antiresorptive and/or anabolic drug treatment history, and pre- and post-denosumab T-scores in addition to L1–4, femoral neck, and total hip bone mineral densities (BMDs) on DEXA scans. The changes that occurred before and after the treatment in addition to those that occurred after the treatment based on whether previous anabolic or antiresorptive agents had been used were statistically compared. Results: The L1–4 and total hip T-scores and L1–4 and total hip BMD values measured prior to denosumab treatment showed a statistically significant increase after denosumab treatment (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.028, and P = 0.002, respectively). No statistically significant changes in the femoral neck T-score and BMD after denosumab treatment compared to that before denosumab use (P = 0.056 and P = 0.138, respectively) were found. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-denosumab DEXA parameters in the patients who used antiresorptive agents and those who did not (P > 0.05) was found. Additionally, pre- and post-denosumab parameters were not statistically significantly different between those who received and did not receive anabolic therapy before denosumab (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Denosumab treatment for postmenopausal OP leads to a significant increase in lumbar and total hip T-scores and BMDs.

State of the art in osteoporosis risk assessment and treatment

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis constitutes a major public health problem, through its association with age-related fractures, particularly of the hip, vertebrae, distal forearm, and humerus. Over recent decades, it has evolved from being viewed as an inevitable consequence of ageing, to being recognised as a serious and eminently treatable disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this article, we review the literature pertaining to the epidemiology of osteoporosis, associated health burden, approaches to risk assessment and treatment.

RESULTS

Although there is some evidence that fracture incidence has reached a plateau, or even started to decline, in the developed world, an ageing population and adoption of westernised lifestyles in transitioning populations is leading to an increasing burden of osteoporosis across the world. Whilst the clinical definition of osteoporosis has been based solely on bone mineral density, the prediction of fracture at the individual level has been improved by consideration of clinical risk factors in tools such as FRAX®, derived from a greater understanding of the epidemiology of osteoporosis. Such advances in approaches to primary and secondary prevention of fractures, coupled with elucidation of the underlying biology, and the development of a range of highly effective antiosteoporosis medications, have enabled a step change in our ability to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures. However, there remains a substantial disparity between the number of individuals at high fracture risk and number treated globally.

CONCLUSION

Urgent work is needed at the level of health care systems, national and international policy, and in communication with patients and public, to ensure that all patients who should receive treatment for osteoporosis actually do so.

Liraglutide increases bone formation and inhibits bone resorption in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of liraglutide on bone metabolism markers in rat models with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), including the effects on bone mass, bone tissue microstructure, bone biomechanics, and bone turnover markers.

METHOD

Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (n = 10) was intramuscularly injected with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride, the dexamethasone group (n = 10) was intramuscularly injected with dexamethasone at 1 mg/kg (twice a week) to induce GIOP, the dexamethasone plus liraglutide group (n = 10) was subcutaneously injected with liraglutide at 200 μg/kg daily, simultaneously. The bilateral femurs and the fifth lumbar vertebrae were collected after 12 weeks to perform micro-computed tomography and bone biomechanical examinations. Also, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP), cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OC) were tested.

RESULTS

The bone mineral density (BMD), bone microstructure, and bone biomechanical markers reduced significantly in the dexamethasone group compared with the control group. The bone resorption indicators (TRACP and CTX-I) increased, while the bone formation indicators (ALP and OC) decreased. After liraglutide treatment, BMD, bone microstructure, and bone biomechanical markers improved significantly. Moreover, TRACP and CTX-I decreased significantly, while ALP and OC increased compared with the dexamethasone group.

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide improved BMD, bone microstructure, and bone strength and reversed GIOP, primarily through the reduction of bone resorption and promotion of bone formation.

Adverse effects of media reports on the treatment of osteoporosis

PURPOSE

The review focused on the role that media reporting plays in the level of public awareness about osteoporosis and its influence on osteoporosis treatment decisions.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature on the role of media on three main aspects influencing patient adherence to osteoporosis treatment: the awareness of osteoporosis as a major health problem, the perception of the effectiveness of osteoporosis medications, and the fear of adverse effects with osteoporosis medications.

RESULTS

A review of the literature confirmed what is routinely observed in clinical practice-that media report can strongly influence the level of awareness of osteoporosis and fracture risk. Inadequate and/or incorrect information on osteoporosis in the media are associated with a low level of awareness of the disease. High-risk patients may have a poor understanding of the need for treatment. Alarming information in the media over the last 2 decades regarding effectiveness and safety of long-term osteoporosis treatment is associated with reduction in the use of osteoporosis medications.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a gap between the application of clinical recommendations and patient perceptions of osteoporosis and its treatment. There is a need for better education of patients and practitioners aimed at recognizing the serious consequences of fractures and understanding the expected benefits and potential risks of treatment. Media reports that disseminate evidence-based information on the balance of benefits and risks could help to reduce the osteoporosis treatment gap and mitigate the crisis in osteoporosis care.

Absence of Interactions between Denosumab and Warfarin in Women with Osteoporosis

The monoclonal antibody denosumab reduces bone resorption. Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis. To date, there have been no studies on the interaction between warfarin and denosumab. The aim of the present study was to assess the maintenance of the Prothrombin Time International Normalized Ratio (INR) in the therapeutic range (TTR) in women under treatment with warfarin and denosumab, in order to evaluate the pharmacological interference of denosumab. No variations of the median TTR were found after undergoing treatment with denosumab: this shows that the intake of denosumab does not require additional checks in anticoagulated patients.