E-Poster Presentation 30th Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2020

Case Series: Denosumab and Atypical Femoral Fractures (#114)

Chamath Premawardena 1 , Shanal Kumar 1 2 , Chin Yao Tan 1 3
  1. Department of Medicine, Peninsula Health, Frankston, VIC, Australia
  2. Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  3. Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is a well-recognised adverse effect of long-term bisphosphonate use necessitating the incorporation of drug holidays during treatment of osteoporosis. Less commonly reported is AFF secondary to denosumab. Use of denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of skeletal related events in the primary care and oncological settings respectively is increasing. We present a series of three cases where AFF occurred in individuals treated with denosumab. This is followed by a discussion of potential risk factors and complexities surrounding the management of AFF, particularly with regards to cessation of denosumab. Our case series contributes to increasing clinician and consumer awareness of AFF secondary to denosumab use.