Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction, Back Pain, and Bone Mineral Densitometry T-Scores in Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Who Received Denosumab Treatment

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effects of denosumab therapy on bone mineral densitometry (BMD) T-scores, back pain, and satisfaction in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.Materials and Methods:This study included 134 patients diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis and regularly received denosumab treatment for 2 years. Socio-demographic data were collected, and patients were evaluated after denosumab therapy in BMD T-scores and back pain improvement using a visual analog scale (VAS). Patient satisfaction, physical function improvement, and quality of life were analyzed using a Likert scale.Results:The pretreatment values revealed a statistically significant improvement in vertebral and femoral T-scores and back pain after treatment (p<0.001). The mean back pain VAS score reduced from 6.66±1.23 to 3.16±1.70. The mean vertebral L1-L4 T-scores increased from -3.32±0.45 to -2.98±0.49 (p<0.001), and femoral neck T-scores increased from -1.98±1.26 to -1.86±1.25 (p<0.001). Denosumab treatment was very satisfying for 26.87% of patients, whereas 47.76% of patients found it satisfying. In the improvement in physical functions, 36.57% of patients evaluated denosumab treatment as very effective and 32.09% as effective. Additionally, 28.36% of patients evaluated denosumab as very effective in regard to the quality of life, whereas 43.28% evaluated it as effective.Conclusion:Study results demonstrate that denosumab injection is a practical and satisfactory treatment option that effectively improves T-scores and back pain in postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment.

Keywords

• denosumab
• bone mineral density
• osteoporosis
• back pain