Yeh, D.C., Chen, D.R., Chao, T.Y., Chen, S.C., Wang, H.C., Rau, K.M., . . . Hou, M.F. (2014). EORTC QLQ-BM22 quality of life evaluation and pain outcome in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer treated with zoledronic acid. In Vivo, 28, 1001–1004.
To report the effects of treatment with zoledronic acid on pain and quality of life outcomes
Patients treated with zoledronic acid monthly for 24 months were observed for 22 months. Quality of life and pain were measured every two months.
Phase 4, single-arm, open-label, observational study
VAS scores declined significantly on a monthly basis for the first 22 months (p < 0.05) then returned to baseline levels. Pain-related subscales of the QLQ also declined in the same pattern. There was no significant change in psychosocial aspects of the functional interference scale in the QLQ.
Over a 22-month period, monthly treatment with zoledronic acid reduced pain in women with bone metastases from breast cancer.
Zoledronic acid is a type of bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are effective in reducing pain and skeletal events from bone metastases in patients with cancer. The duration of their effects was shown to be about 22 months in this study.