Abstract
Background Antiresorptive agents are recommended for patients with bone metastatic disease in order to treat
hypercalcemia of malignancy, to reduce skeletal-related events, and to alleviate bone pain. This study was conducted
to describe prescribing practices for antiresorptive agents among patients with metastatic bone disease within the
Palestinian healthcare system.
Methods We conducted a multicenter, mixed-method study that combined a retrospective analysis of prescription
data for antiresorptive agents in patients with metastatic bone disease with a cross-sectional survey of the views and
opinions of oncologists and orthopedists practicing within the Palestinian healthcare system regarding the benefits
and risks associated with these agents.
Results In this study, 239 patients with metastatic bone disease were included. The median age of the patients
was 61.0 [52.0–69.0] years, the median duration of cancer was 3.0 [1.0–6.0] years, and the median duration of bone
metastatic disease was 1.0 [1.0–3.0] years. Of these patients, 139 (58.2%) received antiresorptive agents. Patients
prescribed antiresorptive agents were more likely to experience hypoglycemia (p-value = 0.005) compared to those
not receiving these agents. The duration of antiresorptive agent use was positively associated with the duration
of cancer (Spearman’s rho = 0.38, p-value < 0.001) and with the duration of bone metastatic disease (Spearman’s
rho = 0.45, p-value < 0.001). Among the surveyed oncologists and orthopedists, 40% reported that prescribing
antiresorptive agents for patients with bone metastatic disease was routine practice, while 60% indicated that they
would recommend antiresorptive agents even if the patient experienced minimal or no pain. Moreover, 70% of the
oncologists and orthopedists preferred initiating treatment with zoledronic acid as the first-line antiresorptive agent
for patients with bone metastases.

Title

Scientific reports

Publisher

Mohammad M Jaber

Publisher Country

United States of America

Publication Type

Prtinted only

Volume

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Year

2025

Pages

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