Author:
Assadi R.,Nassar K.,Janani S.
Abstract
Background:Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women both before and after the menopause. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) used as adjuvant therapy cause bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis (OP) (1).Objectives:To assess the bone status and the frequency of OP in breast cancer patients using AIs.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study in the rheumatology department, over 5 years (2016-2020).Inclusion criteria: patients followed for breast neoplasm in oncology department on AIs therapy and referred to rheumatology department for bone evaluation.All of these patients underwent an evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) and phosphocalcic assessment.Exclusion criteria: patients treated by another type of hormone therapy and having other risk factors for OP.Results:200 breast cancer women were enrolled for the study, 92 patients (46%) were treated with AIs, the average age was 58.22 years (41 - 75 years) with an average age of discovery of the breast cancer of 46.75 years and the average time between the start of AIs therapy and the diagnosis of OP was 21.6 months. the characteristics of the patients are summed up in Table 1.97% of patients were postmenopausal and 38% of them had menopause secondary to treatment.In AIs users, 85 patients (92.3%) were osteoporotic, and 11% had bone fractures. In regard to osteodensitometry measurement, lumbar spine was the most affected site (88%) with mean T score of -2.98 and mean BMD of 0.854, followed by femoral neck (17%) with mean T score of - 2.8 and mean BMD of 0.740 and total hip (14%) with mean T score of -3.10 and mean BMD of 0.497.The cancer was metastatic in 15.18% patients, 75% of the group had bone metastasis and 25% had visceral metastasis.The phosphocalcic status of the osteoporotic patients was: mean calcemia: 92.83 mg / l, mean calciuria: 131.8 mg / 24h, mean phosphatemia: 48.09 mg / l, mean 25 OH Vit D level: 19.78 ng / ml, mean PTH: 79 pg / ml.Osteoporotic patients were treated with bisphosphonates, 60% women had received Alendronate, 17% Risedronate and 12% Zoledronate in addition to dietary measures and correction of calcium and vitamin D deficiency.Conclusion:AIs are correlated with a high risk of OP and fractures in 30% of patients (2), the frequency of OP in our series is estimated at 42.5%.Assessment of bone status and OP clinical risk factors should be systematic in all breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant AIs therapy.Bisphosphonates appear to be beneficial in treating secondary OP, in preventing bone fractures, and in reducing the incidence of breast cancer bone metastases.References:[1]Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Bone Loss Clinical Considerations P Shubham, L. Shapiro Drugs 2008; 68 (18): 2591-2600[2]Aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss and its management with bisphosphonates in patients with breast cancer M.Bauer, J. Bryce, P.Hadji Breast Cancer. 2012; 4: 91–101Table 1.Characteristics of osteoporotic patients using AIs therapyResultsTotal of patients92 (46%)Mean age58.22 yearsMean age of breast cancer diagnosis46.75 yearsDelay between AIs therapy and OP21.6 monthsPost menopausal patients97%Menopausis due to AIs38%Osteoporotic patients85 (92.3%)Fractures11%Sites of OP in osteodensitometrylumbar spine88%femoral neck17%total hip14%Cancer metastasis15.18%Bone75%Visceral25%Phosphocalcic status (mean values)calcemia92.83 mg / lcalciuria131.8 mg / 24hphosphatémie48.09 mg / l25 OH vitaminD19.78 ng / mlPTH79 pg / mlBiphosphanates therapyAlendronate60%Risedronate17%Zoledronate12%Disclosure of Interests:None declared
Subject
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Immunology,Immunology and Allergy,Rheumatology