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Treatment with denosumab reduces the incidence of new vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal women at high risk

S. Boonen, J. Adachi, Z. Man, S. R. Cummings, K. Lippuner, O. Törring, J. C. Gallagher, J. Farrerons et al.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2011

7,808 participants · 220 citations

Abstract

CONTEXT: The FREEDOM (Fracture REduction Evaluation of Denosumab in Osteoporosis every 6 Months) trial showed denosumab significantly reduced the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of denosumab on the incidence of new vertebral and hip fractures in subgroups of women at higher risk for these fractures.

DESIGN: FREEDOM was a 3-yr, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Postmenopausal women (N = 7808) with osteoporosis were enrolled at 213 study sites worldwide.

INTERVENTIONS: Subjects received s.c. denosumab (60 mg) or placebo every 6 months and daily supplements of calcium (≥1000 mg) and vitamin D (≥400 IU).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This post hoc analysis evaluated fracture incidence in women with known risk factors for fractures including multiple and/or moderate or severe prevalent vertebral fractures, aged 75 yr or older, and/or femoral neck bone mineral density T-score of -2.5 or less.

RESULTS: Compared with placebo, denosumab significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral fractures in women with multiple and/or severe prevalent vertebral fractures (16.6% placebo vs. 7.5% denosumab; P < 0.001). Similarly, denosumab significantly reduced the risk of hip fractures in subjects aged 75 yr or older (2.3% placebo vs. 0.9% denosumab; P < 0.01) or with a baseline femoral neck bone mineral density T-score of -2.5 or less (2.8% placebo vs. 1.4% denosumab; P = 0.02). These…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 7,808 participants or records.

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