Denosumab Linked to High Incidence of Severe Hypocalcemia in Female Dialysis Patients 65 and Above: JAMA

According to an Original Investigation published in JAMA, the use of Denosumab in elderly, female dialysis-dependent patients resulted in a statistically and clinically significant higher risk of severe hypocalcemia when compared to oral bisphosphonates.

Dialysis patients face high morbidity from fractures with limited evidence of optimal treatment. Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder is prevalent, complicating diagnosis and treatment of fragility.

The study examined the incidence and comparative risk of severe hypocalcemia with Denosumab compared with oral bisphosphonates among dialysis-dependent female patients aged 65 years or older treated for osteoporosis. Exposure included 60 mg of Denosumab or oral bisphosphonates. Severe hypoglycemia [total albumin-corrected serum calcium below 7.5 mg/dL (1.88 mmol/L)] and very severe hypocalcemia [serum calcium below 6.5 mg/dL [1.63 mmol/L]were assessed.

Key points from the study are:

· 607/1523 denosumab-treated patients and 23/1281 oral bisphosphonate–treated patients developed severe hypocalcemia.

· The 12-week weighted cumulative incidence of severe hypocalcemia was 41.1% with Denosumab vs 2.0% with oral bisphosphonates. The weighted risk difference was 39.1%, and the weighted risk ratio was 20.7.

· The 12-week weighted cumulative incidence of very severe hypocalcemia was also increased with Denosumab (10.9%) vs oral bisphosphonates (0.4%). The weighted risk difference was 10.5%, and the weighted risk ratio was 26.4.

Denosumab was found to significantly increase the incidence of severe and very severe hypocalcemia compared to oral bisphosphonates when used in female dialysis-dependent patients aged 65 or older. Due to the difficulty in diagnosing bone pathophysiology in this population and the high risk associated with Denosumab, careful patient selection and frequent monitoring are necessary before administering the drug.

Reference:

Bird ST et al. Severe Hypocalcemia With Denosumab Among Older Female Dialysis-Dependent Patients. JAMA. Published online January 19, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.28239