Patterns of bisphosphonate treatment among patients with multiple myeloma treated at oncology clinics across the USA: observations from real-world data

PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend that intravenous bisphosphonates be initiated in all patients with multiple myeloma for management of bone disease. The objective of this study was to describe real-world bisphosphonate treatment patterns. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using oncology electronic health record (EHR) data contained in Amgen’s Oncology Services Comprehensive Electronic Records (OSCER) database, generated by Flatiron Health (New York, NY), representing over 1.5 million US oncology patients. Patients were newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma between January 1, 2009 and April 30, 2016. Timing of bisphosphonate administration, frequency, schedule, changes in dosing schedule, and discontinuations were calculated. Bisphosphonate treatment relative to renal function and anti-multiple myeloma therapy regimens were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 11,112 patients were enrolled in the study with a median follow-up of 687 days. Sixty-three percent received ≥ 1 bisphosphonate administration, primarily every 4 weeks (67.7%). Mean time from diagnosis to bisphosphonate administration was 106 days (median, 29). Most patients (58.2%) initiated treatment in first year after diagnosis and about half (51.9%) either discontinued or changed dosing. Patients with poorer renal function by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) stage at baseline were less likely to receive bisphosphonates (eGFR stage 5 vs 1: 24 vs 72%) and more likely to have delayed initiation of bisphosphonate treatment from diagnosis (eGFR stage 5 vs 1: median 70 vs 25 days). CONCLUSIONS: Real-world data from US oncology practices indicate that many patients with multiple myeloma may not receive optimal therapy for bone disease, particularly those with renal impairment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-018-4133-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.