{"title":"Palliative Benefits of Zoledronic Acid on Pain, Functioning and Quality of Life in Metastatic Cancers: A Cohort Study.","authors":"Ranakishor Pelluri, Sreevally Kantamsetty, Pavan Sri Viswanadh Rudrapaka, Vamsi Venkata Srinivasa Reddy Satti, Lasya Sree Ponnapureddy, Bhima Sridevi, Usha Sree Puneem, Haneesha Polavarapu, Uday Venkat Mateti, Jayaraman Rajangam","doi":"10.1177/08258597251383377","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThis cohort study evaluated the palliative benefits of zoledronic acid (ZA) in patients with metastatic cancers, focusing on clinical and functional improvements, with additional assessment of emotional well-being.MethodsAn observational cohort study was conducted at Omega Hospitals, Guntur, India, from August 2024 to March 2025. Adult patients with metastatic cancers who received at least four doses of intravenous ZA (4 mg) were included. Pain intensity was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), and quality of life (QoL) was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.ResultsA total of sixty-two patients (mean age 57.7 ± 9.65 years; 72.6% female) were enrolled. Treatment with ZA resulted in significant reductions in pain severity (median 5.0 to 0.0; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and pain interference (median 3.0 to 0.0; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Improvements were also observed in global health (58.08 to 68.57; <i>p</i> < 0.001), social functioning (57.35 to 64.40; <i>p</i> = 0.01), fatigue (54.81 to 48.88; <i>p</i> = 0.01), and emotional functioning (50.82 to 63.64; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Physical functioning increased slightly (65.44 to 66.50; <i>p</i> = 0.62) but did not reach statistical significance. However, joint pain and hot flashes worsened after treatment (<i>p</i> < 0.01).ConclusionZA provides meaningful clinical and functional benefits in metastatic cancer patients, particularly through pain reduction, global health improvement, and better social functioning, with additional gains in emotional well-being. The modest, non-significant change in physical functioning emphasizes the influence of advanced disease stage and comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":51096,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Palliative Care","volume":" ","pages":"8258597251383377"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Palliative Care","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08258597251383377","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
ObjectiveThis cohort study evaluated the palliative benefits of zoledronic acid (ZA) in patients with metastatic cancers, focusing on clinical and functional improvements, with additional assessment of emotional well-being.MethodsAn observational cohort study was conducted at Omega Hospitals, Guntur, India, from August 2024 to March 2025. Adult patients with metastatic cancers who received at least four doses of intravenous ZA (4 mg) were included. Pain intensity was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), and quality of life (QoL) was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.ResultsA total of sixty-two patients (mean age 57.7 ± 9.65 years; 72.6% female) were enrolled. Treatment with ZA resulted in significant reductions in pain severity (median 5.0 to 0.0; p < 0.001) and pain interference (median 3.0 to 0.0; p < 0.001). Improvements were also observed in global health (58.08 to 68.57; p < 0.001), social functioning (57.35 to 64.40; p = 0.01), fatigue (54.81 to 48.88; p = 0.01), and emotional functioning (50.82 to 63.64; p < 0.001). Physical functioning increased slightly (65.44 to 66.50; p = 0.62) but did not reach statistical significance. However, joint pain and hot flashes worsened after treatment (p < 0.01).ConclusionZA provides meaningful clinical and functional benefits in metastatic cancer patients, particularly through pain reduction, global health improvement, and better social functioning, with additional gains in emotional well-being. The modest, non-significant change in physical functioning emphasizes the influence of advanced disease stage and comorbidities.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Palliative Care is a quarterly, peer-reviewed, international and interdisciplinary forum for practical, critical thought on palliative care and palliative medicine. JPC publishes high-quality original research, opinion papers/commentaries, narrative and humanities works, case reports/case series, and reports on international activities and comparative palliative care.