Summary
This study evaluated the 18-month persistence with teriparatide in 5413 postmenopausal osteoporotic women who were enrolled
in an education and follow-up program. Analysis showed that the persistence rate was 81.5% for women who follow the program,
higher than for existing oral antiresorptive treatments.
Introduction
An education and follow-up program was developed after launch of teriparatide in France in September 2004, to help women to
follow the treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the persistence with teriparatide in postmenopausal osteoporotic
women following this program.
Methods
Data about persistence are available for the period September 2004 to June 2007. Persistence is defined as the percentage
of patients still on treatment at the end of the 18-month course, and it has been compared to the data provided by the French
universal health insurance system.
Results
Since the launch of teriparatide in France in September 2004, 5413 postmenopausal women (mean age 72.3 ± 14.5 years) with
osteoporosis and vertebral fractures (mean 3.9 ± 2) have participated in the program. The persistence rate at 15 months was
81.5%, and our analysis suggested that a majority of patients completed the 18-month treatment course. The main reason for
discontinuation was adverse events (46.7%). Data of the French Universal Health Insurance suggest that the persistence may
be close to 0% for women who are not in the program.
Conclusions
Postmenopausal osteoporotic women treated by teriparatide and enrolled in an education and follow-up program have a high persistence
rate.
Keywords Education program - Osteoporosis - Persistence - Postmenopausal women - Teriparatide