Epidemiological study of alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in the southeast of Scotland. Issue 5 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sammut, Stephanie; Malden, Nick; Lopes, Victor; Ralston, Stuart
• Is Part Of: British journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Volume 54:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 505
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Bisphosphonate -- Osteonecrosis -- Jaw -- Incidence; Mouth -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Face -- surgery -- Periodicals; Mouth -- surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Oral -- Periodicals; Oral Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Bouche -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Maxillaire supérieur -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Face -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Chirurgie dentaire -- Périodiques; Dentistry, Operative; Face -- Surgery; Maxilla -- Surgery; Mouth -- Surgery; Surgery, Plastic; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.52059
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2015.10.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-4356

Abstract

Abstract: We aimed to establish the incidence of alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in the southeast of Scotland, and to assess the effect of corticosteroids on it. We studied a prospective case series of patients between June 2004 and March 2012 separated into steroid and non-steroid groups. There were 34 cases of alendronate-related ONJ and 78 732 drug patient years (DPY) of alendronate, making the overall occurrence 43.1 cases/100 000 DPY. There were 12 patients in the steroid group (mean (range) age 68.2 (48-87) years) making 42.5 cases/100 000 DPY, and 22 in the non-steroid group (mean (range) age 76.2 (63-91) years) making 119.6 cases/100 000 DPY. The mean (range) age at presentation of alendronate-related ONJ was significantly lower in the steroid group (68.2 (48-87) compared with 76.2 (63-91) years, p = 0.019) as was the duration of exposure to alendronate before it developed (28.9 (6-120) compared with 61.3 (13-168) months, p = 0.03). The overall incidence seems to be higher in the southeast of Scotland than elsewhere. Concurrent use of corticosteroids is not associated with an increased incidence of alendronate-related ONJ, but it seems to reduce the duration of exposure before it develops. Age is likely to be a confounding factor.