According to a recent study, low-dose oral bisphosphonates administered to prevent or treat postmenopausal osteoporosis may be associated with a lower risk of skeletal metastasis in patients with early- or more advanced-stage breast cancer.
According to a recent study, low-dose oral bisphosphonates administered to prevent or treat postmenopausal osteoporosis may be associated with a lower risk of skeletal metastasis in patients with early- or more advanced-stage breast cancer.
The findings are based on analysis of health administrative data from a historical cohort of 21,664 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Quebec, Canada. Researchers from McGill University Health Centre stratified the cohort according to disease stage (0-II or III) at time of diagnosis. The primary outcome was time to development of bone metastasis. Exposure was considered bisphosphonate use prediagnosis, postdiagnosis, both, or neither, and a cumulative index of drug exposure.
In women with local disease at diagnosis, use of bisphosphonates only postdiagnosis or continuing on them after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with a decline in risk of bone metastasis from 45% to 28%. The reduction in risk associated with bisphosphonates was nearly 50% in women with regional disease who used the drugs postdiagnosis, regardless of whether they had used bisphosphonates prediagnosis.
Researchers also observed a statistically significant dose-response trend that related increased use with lower risk (slope = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.90 to 0.99). Also, bisphosphonates were associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality similar to that for development of bone metastasis.
Editorial: Graduate medical education at crossroads
Investigators concluded that low-dose bisphosphonates used for the prevention or treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis were tied to lower risk of skeletal metastasis in patients with early- and advanced-stage breast cancer.
To get weekly advice for today's Ob/Gyn, subscribe to the Contemporary OB/GYN Special Delivery.
Study reveals critical gaps in care for PCOS patients
May 17th 2024A new study presented at the 2024 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting highlighted significant gaps in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) care, revealing widespread patient dissatisfaction and the urgent need for improved provider education and comprehensive treatment approaches.
Read More
Pioglitazone outperforms metformin in IVF for PCOS-related infertility
May 6th 2024A recent double-blind, randomized clinical trial revealed a higher clinical pregnancy rate with pioglitazone compared to metformin in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, suggesting potential for improved outcomes.
Read More