Value of pre-operative CTX serum levels in the prediction of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ): a retrospective clinical study.

objectivesThe low incidence yet severe presentation of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) makes it necessary to develop reliable predictive and preventive strategies. This study explored the value of pre-operative carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) serum level in the prediction of osteonecrosis-related complications in patients on bisphosphonate therapy. PATIENTS AND

methodsWe examined patient records over 4 years (a total of 137 patients). Biometric data were extracted, in addition to type of treatment, CTX levels, drug holiday, procedure, complications, and co-morbidities. Non-parametric Wilcoxon two-sample tests were used to test the effect of initial CTX level in IV or PO and whether it was predictive of complications. Two independent proportion tests were used for testing the two different complication incident rates before or after the drug holiday.

resultsA total of 93 patients were included in the study, of whom 88.17% were female. A total of 11 patients were receiving IV bisphosphonates at the time of initial presentation, 82 oral bisphosphonates. Out of 64 patients who underwent invasive dental procedure (IDP) before a drug holiday, eight were on IV bisphosphonates. Three patients in this group experienced osteonecrosis-related complications (37.5%). Out of the remaining 56 patients on oral bisphosphonates, four (7.14%) developed complications, significantly lower than the IV bisphosphonate group (

conclusionsSerum levels of CTX by itself are not reliable as a predictive or preventive measure for such complications. Our data also suggested that a drug holiday of 5 months was not helpful in preventing osteonecrosis-related complications in patients on intravenous bisphosphonates. Further studies are urgently needed to develop adequate predictive and preventive strategies of MRONJ.