Abstract
This case-control study investigated the impact of switching from bisphosphonates to denosumab, teriparatide, or romosozumab in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Romosozumab demonstrated the most significant improvements in bone mineral density, particularly in the lumbar spine and total hip, by reducing bone resorption and increasing bone formation markers. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of switching from bisphosphonates (BP) to denosumab (DMAb), teriparatide (TPTD), or romosozumab (ROMO) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: This retrospective, case-controlled, multicenter study included 389 patients who switched from BP to DMAb, TPTD, or ROMO due to treatment inefficacy. Propensity score matching was used to align patient backgrounds, resulting in 45 patients per group. Baseline characteristics included a mean age of 73.8 years, prior BP treatment duration of 37.1 months, and bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores of -2.8 in the lumbar spine (LS), -2.5 in the total hip (TH), and -2.7 in femoral neck (FN). BMD and bone turnover markers were assessed over 12 months. RESULTS: Following the switch from BP, the ROMO group demonstrated a dual effect of decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation markers. The TPTD group exhibited the highest increases in both markers, while the DMAb group suppressed both. After 12 months, the ROMO group demonstrated significantly greater BMD increases in the LS (11.4%) compared to the DMAb (6.3%; p < 0.001) and TPTD (5.9%; p < 0.001) groups. Additionally, the ROMO group showed greater increases in the TH (3.3%) than TPTD group (0.8%; p < 0.01). Only the ROMO group showed a significant BMD increase in the FN (2.0%; p < 0.01 from baseline). CONCLUSION: Significant BMD increases were observed in the LS for all groups, in the TH for the ROMO and DMAb groups, and in the FN for the ROMO group. ROMO showed the most substantial BMD improvements following BP therapy.