Denosumab Trumps Zoledronic Acid for Spine BMD

Chicago researchers have found that when comparing denosumab and zoledronic acid for efficacy and tolerability, denosumab had a significantly greater effect on increasing spine bone mineral density…and zoledronic acid caused more flulike symptoms.

The researchers performed a retrospective chart review and survey of 107 patients to compare the efficacy, patient satisfaction, cost and known adverse effects of denosumab versus zoledronic acid, including muscle pain, back pain and flulike symptoms. The denosumab and zoledronic acid groups were statistically similar in all areas but spine bone mineral density (increased 0.060 g/cm2 versus 0.021 g/cm2, respectively) and flulike symptoms (none versus 29% of patients).

“Both groups of patients were satisfied with their treatment despite the discrepancies in the drugs, ” said Kellen Sheedy, first author and Stritch School of Medicine student, in the December 2, 2013 news release.

“This study helped us quantify the efficacy and adverse effects of these two drugs providing further guidance for physicians who prescribe these treatments, ” said Pauline Camacho, M.D., study investigator and director of the Osteoporosis & Metabolic Bone Disease Center at Loyola University Health System. “While this was the first head-to-head comparison of these two treatments, larger prospective studies will be needed to confirm these findings.”