Osteonecrosis of the Jaw among Patients Receiving Antiresorptive Medication: A 4-year Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Cancer Center, Kerala, India

PURPOSE: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare but complicated side effect of antiresorptive medications. The aim of the study is to evaluate the dental and drug-related factors related to ONJ among patients on these drugs at a tertiary cancer center, India. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective record review of patients who received antiresorptive medication at our center from 2011 to 2014 was done. The demographic factors, type, dosage, and duration of the medication and dental history were collected, and the data were entered an analyzed using Epidata software. RESULTS: A higher incidence of ONJ (8.1%) was noted in our sample (n = 183). Dental intervention after zoledronic acid (ZA) administration showed a statistical significance (P < 0.001). No significance (P value) was noted with respect to sex (0.78), age (0.28), median duration (0.9), and median dosage (0.9) of ZA. CONCLUSION: Oro-dental screening and dental monitoring shall reduce the incidence of ONJ. Within the limitations of our study, no significant relation could be pointed toward the dosage and duration of the drug and development of ONJ.