Open, Prospective, Multi-Center, Two-Part Study of Patient Preference with Monthly Ibandronate Therapy in Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Switched from Daily or Weekly Alendronate or Risendronate-Boncure: Results of Turkish Sub-Study

Abstract

Aim: BONCURE (Bonviva for Current Bisphosphonate Users Regional European Trial), aimed to evaluate patient preference with monthly ibandronate in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who previously received daily or weekly alendronate or risendronate. Materials and Methods: This prospective, open-label study consisted of two sequential stages, Part A (screening) and Part B (treatment). Patients enrolled into Part A completed the Candidate Identification Questionnaire (CIQ). In Part B, after completing the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSATQ), patients received monthly oral ibandronate 150 mg for 6 months. Following treatment, patients completed the OPSAT-Q and Preference Questionnaire. Results: A total of 223 patients (mean age, 63.7 +/- 9.51 years) were enrolled in Part A from Turkey. Among them, 103 (46.2%) answered "YES" to at least one CIQ question. The mean composite OPSAT-Q domain scores increased for convenience (mean change, 15.3 +/- 17.7 points), quality of life (10.4 +/- 20.4 points), overall satisfaction (11.9 +/- 22.7 points), and side effects (3.3 +/- 18.8 points). At month 6, 177 subjects (92.7%) preferred once-monthly dosing schedule and 99.0% were compliant (>= 80%) with study treatment. Thirty (15.6%) subjects experienced mild to moderate adverse events, mostly gastrointestinal. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis prefer and are more satisfied and compliant with monthly dosing of ibandronate than daily or weekly bisphosphonate treatment. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2012; 18: 1-7)