Long-term denosumab safe, effective in patients with rheumatic diseases

The use of denosumab for longer durations is generally safe and effective for increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs), suggests a recent study.

A total of 165 patients with RDs (median age 66.5 years, 92.1 percent female) were enrolled in this study. Of these, 68.5 percent were receiving glucocorticoid therapy.

BMD at the lumbar spine significantly increased over 7 years (p<0.001), while that at the femoral neck, trochanter, and total hip significantly increased for up to 3 years (p<0.001). Notably, lumbar spine BMD increased substantially irrespective of glucocorticoid dose, age, or renal dysfunction.

Denosumab had a retention rate of 68.1 percent at 7 years.

In terms of safety, infection was the most frequent serious adverse events. Two patients had osteonecrosis of the jaw, while 10 new fractures were noted during treatment with denosumab.

In this retrospective study, researchers enrolled patients who received denosumab between August 2013 and August 2022. They assessed BMD at the lumbar spine for up to 7 years and at the femur for up to 3 years, as well as the effects of glucocorticoid usage, age, and renal function on BMD in patients treated with denosumab. Finally, adverse events and the retention rate were evaluated.

Denosumab is an antireceptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand monoclonal antibody used to treat osteoporosis, treatment-induced bone loss, metastases to bone, and giant cell tumour of bone.