Treatment preference for monthly oral ibandronate and weekly oral alendronate in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis: A randomized, crossover study (BALTO II)

Abstract

Objectives: Patient preference strongly influences long-term medication use in chronic diseases such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Methods: This 6-month, open-label, crossover, international study randomized 350 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis to monthly oral ibandronate 150mg for 3months followed by weekly alendronate 70mg for 12weeks, or vice versa.

Results: Of patients expressing a preference (93.1%), more preferred the monthly ibandronate regimen (70.6%) than the weekly alendronate regimen (29.4%). The monthly ibandronate preference rate was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The most common reasons for ibandronate preference were ease of staying on treatment long-term (81.5%) and better lifestyle fit (75.4%). More women found the monthly ibandronate regimen more convenient (76.6%) than the weekly alendronate regimen (23.4%). The monthly ibandronate convenience rate was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The safety profiles of the two regimens were similar.

Conclusion: The strong patient preference for monthly ibandronate over weekly alendronate replicates previous study findings and may lead to improved treatment adherence in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.