Intravenous bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: long-term follow-up of 109 patients

Abstract

Objective: We report long-term follow-up of patients with intravenous bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Study design: Medical and dental histories, including type and duration of bisphosphonate treatment and comorbidities, were analyzed and compared with clinical course of 109 patients with BRONJ at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Dental Service.

Results: Median onset of BRONJ in months was 21 (zoledronic acid), 30 (pamidronate), and 36 (pamidronate plus zoledronic acid), with a significant difference between the pamidronate plus zoledronic acid and zoledronic acid groups (P = .01; Kruskal-Wallis). The median number of doses for BRONJ onset was significantly less with zoledronic acid (n = 18) than pamidronte plus zoledronic acid (n = 36; P = .001), but not pamidronate alone (n = 29). An association between diabetes (P = .05), decayed-missing-filled teeth (P = .02), and smoking (P = .03) and progression of BRONJ was identified through χ(2) test.

Conclusions: This long-term follow-up of BRONJ cases enhances the literature and contributes to the knowledge of BRONJ clinical course.