DENVER, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amgen Inc. today announced the presentation of data highlighting the links between medication satisfaction, adherence to therapy and fracture risk reduction among women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The data were presented at the 31st annual meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Impact of Treatment Satisfaction (Perceived Benefits, Convenience, Side Effects) on Persistence with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Therapy (Abstract No. SA0317)
In this study, in which women self-reported their adherence to therapy, 25 percent (n=2402) reported discontinuation of their initial therapy within the first study year and an additional 7 percent reported that they switched from their initial therapy to another therapy. Women who were less satisfied with the convenience of their treatment were approximately 39 percent (adjusted HR 0.72) more likely to discontinue or switch their initial therapy, and women who were less satisfied with the effectiveness of their treatment were approximately 25 percent (adjusted HR 0.80) more likely to discontinue or switch. Furthermore, among women reporting moderate or severe treatment side effects, those who were less satisfied with treatment were 61 percent (adjusted HR 0.62) more likely to discontinue or switch.
Amgen also reported preliminary findings from a similar longitudinal cohort study, the Prospective Observational Scientific Study Investigating Bone Loss Experience in Europe (POSSIBLE EU((R))), designed to describe the characteristics and management of postmenopausal women (N = 3,403) receiving bone loss medication in 5 countries in the European Union (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK). Data were collected via physician-completed questionnaires at study entry and at 3-month intervals for 1 year.
Impact of Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication on Risk of Fracture (Abstract No. SA0368) and Association Between Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication and Inpatient Stays and Medical Services Costs (Abstract No. SU0387)
A second analysis found that patients with low adherence had a 31.2 percent higher probability of a hospital stay (p<0.001) and 11.4 percent higher mean medical costs (p=0.001) versus patients with high adherence, even after adjusting for other important patient characteristics such as comorbidities, prior fracture history, and hospitalizations.(iii) The mean monthly medical costs were significantly higher for low-adherence ($507) vs. high-adherence ($405) patients.
Osteoporosis: Impact and Prevalence
Often referred to as the "silent epidemic," osteoporosis is a global problem that is increasing in significance as the population of the world both increases and ages. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently identified osteoporosis as a priority health issue along with other major non-communicable diseases.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
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(i) Do T, et al. Impact of Treatment Satisfaction (Perceived Benefits, Convenience, Side Effects) on Persistence with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis (PMO) Therapy. Presented at the ASBMR Annual Meeting, September 12, 2009.
(iii) Iqbal SU, et al. Association Between Adherence to Osteoporosis Medication and Inpatient Stays and Medical Services Costs. Presented at the ASBMR Annual Meeting, September 13, 2009.
(v) Kanis JA, et al. A Meta-Analysis of Previous Fracture and Subsequent Fracture Risk. Bone, 2004;35:375.
(vii) Burge R, et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2007; 22:465-475
(ix) "Economic Cost of Cardiovascular Diseases." American Heart Association. Accessed on February 24, 2009 at http://www.americanheart.org/statistics/10econom.html.
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