Simultaneous bilateral atypical femoral fracture in a patient receiving denosumab: case report and literature review

Osteoporos Int. 2016 Feb;27(2):827-32. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3355-z.

Abstract

Osteoporosis remains a chronic and common disease associated with high medical costs. Pharmacological therapy has shown to be a good strategy to significantly reduce fracture risk. While literary evidence for bone protection in the short and medium term is strongly in it's favor, there are concerns about long-term treatment with antiresorptive drugs. Increased risk of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) have been demonstrated in several studies following the long-term use of bisphosphonate. Denosumab offers an alternative approach to the treatment of osteoporosis, however, it is also an antiresorptive drug. We present a case of simultaneous bilateral atypical femoral fractures in a patient with denosumab treatment. These findings highlight the need to reevaluate the optimal antiresorptive therapy duration, as well as the safety of transition from bisphosphonates to denosumab and the need for continued monitoring in the prevention of AFFs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Denosumab / adverse effects*
  • Denosumab / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / chemically induced*
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Stress / chemically induced*
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / drug therapy
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Denosumab