Patient Satisfaction in Postmenopausal Women Treated with a Weekly Bisphosphonate Transitioned to Once-Monthly Ibandronate

Abstract

CURRENT, a large, open-label, 6-month, multicenter study, was designed to assess patient satisfaction levels and patient treatment preference after switching from weekly oral bisphosphonates to monthly oral ibandronate for a period of 6 months. This study enrolled postmenopausal women who had taken a weekly oral bisphosphonate for at least 3 months for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis or osteopenia at the time of screening. Enrolled patients were switched to 150 mg monthly ibandronate. At baseline and 6 months, patients completed the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSAT-Q), consisting of four domains. Scores were converted to composite satisfaction scores (scale of 0-100). At 6 months, patients completed the Preference Questionnaire. Adverse events were monitored throughout. The intent-to-treat population comprised 1678 patients. OPSAT-Q composite satisfaction scores improved by 9 points by month 6 despite the high mean baseline summary scores (80.1 points). Convenience, overall satisfaction, and quality of life domain scores improved by 15.6, 12, and 9.2 points, respectively. Increased satisfaction was reported by the majority of patients at month 6 (70.4%). Patients who reported stomach upset or suboptimal compliance with prestudy weekly bisphosphonate treatment were more likely to report improved satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] for stomach upset 2.98, 95% CI 1.52, 6.50, p = 0.0026; suboptimal compliance 1.82, 95% CI 1.13-3.04, p = 0.017). After 6 months, 73.6% of patients preferred monthly ibandronate to weekly bisphosphonates. The most frequently occurring adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (3.2% of patients), dyspepsia (2.5%), fracture (2.4%), arthralgia (2.3%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease, diarrhea, and nausea (2.2% each). Patients previously using weekly bisphosphonates reported improved satisfaction with monthly ibandronate dosing.