Yeh, D.C., Chen, D.R., Chao, T.Y., Chen, S.C., Wang, H.C., Rau, K.M., . . . Hou, M.F. (2014). EORTC QLQ-BM22 quality of life evaluation and pain outcome in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer treated with zoledronic acid. In Vivo, 28, 1001–1004.

Study Purpose

To report the effects of treatment with zoledronic acid on pain and quality of life outcomes

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients treated with zoledronic acid monthly for 24 months were observed for 22 months. Quality of life and pain were measured every two months.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 366
  • MEAN AGE = 53.7 years (SD = 11 years)
  • FEMALES: 100%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All patients had breast cancer and radiologic evidence of bone metastases, and 46% had two to five bone lesions. 

Setting

  • SITE: Multi-site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Multiple settings  
  • LOCATION: Taiwan

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
  • APPLICATIONS: Palliative care 

Study Design

Phase 4, single-arm, open-label, observational study

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) BM22 for quality of life
  • 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain severity

Results

VAS scores declined significantly on a monthly basis for the first 22 months (p < 0.05) then returned to baseline levels. Pain-related subscales of the QLQ also declined in the same pattern. There was no significant change in psychosocial aspects of the functional interference scale in the QLQ.

Conclusions

Over a 22-month period, monthly treatment with zoledronic acid reduced pain in women with bone metastases from breast cancer.

Limitations

  • Risk of bias (no control group)
  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no random assignment)
  • Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results
  • Other limitations/explanation: No information was provided regarding whether there were any changes in analgesics.

 

Nursing Implications

Zoledronic acid is a type of bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are effective in reducing pain and skeletal events from bone metastases in patients with cancer. The duration of their effects was shown to be about 22 months in this study.