Positive Patient Experience With Abaloparatide in Osteoporosis

A positive patient experience was reported in patients with osteoporosis after treatment with abaloparatide, according to study results presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2019 Annual Meeting, held September 20 to 23, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.

Osteoporotic fractures account for more hospitalizations and concomitant costs than cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, producing a significant healthcare burden and demonstrating a significant unmet medical need. Moreover, the majority of osteoporosis-related fractures in the United States in patients aged ≥ 50 years occur in women.

Consequently, the researchers of this study aimed to describe the experience of women who initiated treatment with the abaloparatide injection.

A US multicenter study, comprising a retrospective chart review and patient questionnaire, included 4 validated instruments to assess treatment adherence and satisfaction, and functioning/health-related quality of life in patients with osteoporosis. The study population consisted of 193 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67.4±8.62 years), from 8 geographically diverse secondary sites, diagnosed with osteoporosis and at high risk for fracture. The 2 eligible cohorts included patients receiving abaloparatide as the first anabolic treatment for osteoporosis and patients who had their medication switched from teriparatide to abaloparatide.

Of the 193 patients, 82% (n=152) were “completely satisfied” with the ease of abaloparatide preparation and 89% (n=172) found the preparation to be “very easy and convenient to store.” Furthermore, 94% of patients (n=182) reported taking abaloparatide as directed, 93% (n=179) reported never deliberately missing a dose, and 93% (n=179) were satisfied with the needle size. In addition, in terms of access to medication, 96% (n=186) indicated that their osteoporosis treatment was covered by insurance; only 15% (n=28) reported a delay >1 day between handing in their prescriptions and receiving their medications (mean delay, 3.7±1.97 days). A total of 89% of patients (n=172) indicated that their physician explained to them how to use abaloparatide “very well,” and 97% (n=188) felt that they received support regarding how to take the medication.

One study limitation was that the findings were generalizable only to patients similar to the population studied.

Overall, the researchers indicated that a majority of patients were satisfied with abaloparatide treatment.

They wrote, “Positive patient experience with abaloparatide reported here may reflect a high level of support with regard to how to take abaloparatide provided by the prescriber and opportunities for shared decision making.”

Disclosures: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.

Reference

Gold DT, Weiss R, Roberts J, Bailey T, Wang Y, Williams S. A real-world study of the patient experience of osteoporosis following treatment with abaloparatide. Presented at: American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2019 Annual Meeting; September 20-23, 2019; Orlando, FL. Abstract 787.