The effect of previous treatment with bisphosphonate and renal impairment on the response to denosumab in osteoporosis: a ‘real-life’ study

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) following denosumab after previous bisphosphonate therapy and the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on response. METHODS: A retrospective study of 134 patients (11 M, 123 F) aged [mean (SD)] 72 [11] years on denosumab was undertaken. Ninety-five patients had previously been on oral and 28 on iv bisphosphonate. Lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN) BMD were measured before treatment and at 2.7 [1.2] years. GFR was < 35 ml/min in 24 patients (18%). Ninety-four (18 M, 76 F) patients aged 71 [11] years transitioning to zoledronate were also studied. RESULTS: BMD improved following denosumab [mean (SEM) % change LS: 6.0 (0.62) p < 0.001, TH: 2.28 (0.64) p < 0.001, FN: 1.9 (0.77) p = 0.045]. Changes at the TH and FN were lower in patients with GFR < 35 ml/min (Group B) compared to those with GFR > 35 ml/min (Group A) [% change TH; Group A: 2.9 (0.72), Group B: − 0.84 (1.28), p = 0.015, FN; Group A: 2.76 (0.86), Group B: − 1.47 (1.53), p = 0.025]. % change in BMD at the FN and PTH were negatively associated (r = − 0.25, p = 0.013). BMD changes were not different at 12–18 months between patients on denosumab compared to zoledronate [% change at LS: denosumab: 3.97% (0.85), zoledronate: 2.6% (0.5), p = 0.19 TH: denosumab: 0.97% (0.58), zoledronate: 0.92% (0.6), p = 0.95). CONCLUSION: Denosumab increases BMD following previous bisphosphonate treatment and is comparable to zoledronate. Lower response seen at the hip in CKD is related to PTH concentrations.