Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Treated with Weekly and Monthly Bisphosphonates

Abstract

Objective. The present study was designed to assess the effect of monthly ibandronate on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis previously treated with weekly bisphosphonates. Methods. HR-QoL was assessed by Euroqol (EQ-5D) and Osteoporosis Targeted Quality of Life (OPTQoL) questionnaires. Results. The EQ-5D questionnaire showed significant improvement associated with ibandronate treatment, occurring in mobility (p < 0.01), usual activity (p < 0.01), pain/discomfort (p < 0.05), and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). In addition, ibandronate treatment considerably improved patients' perceived health on a visual analog scale (p < 0.001). For the OPTQoL questionnaire, patients reported less physical difficulty (p < 0.001), fewer adaptations in their lives (p < 0.001), and less fear (p < 0.001) with ibandronate than with weekly bisphosphonates. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that patients who were transferred from weekly bisphosphonates to a monthly ibandronate experienced improved HR-QoL.

• Bisphosphonates
• Osteoporosis
• Quality of life
• EQ-5D
• OPTQoL

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.