Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41571922›Full record

SynthesisOsteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA2026

Hypercalcemia after denosumab discontinuation in patients with osteoporosis: a systematic review and case report.

Javier Queipo Menéndez, Álex García Tellado, Javier Pardo Lleidas, José Luis Hernández Hernández

Abstract readSystematic ReviewCase Reports
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Javier Queipo MenéndezBone Metabolism Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital -IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, Santander, 39008, Spain. javier.queipo@scsalud.es.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-4804-5641
Álex García TelladoBone Metabolism Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital -IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, Santander, 39008, Spain.
Javier Pardo LleidasBone Metabolism Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital -IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, Santander, 39008, Spain.
José Luis Hernández HernándezBone Metabolism Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital -IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, Santander, 39008, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Discontinuation of denosumab may result in rebound bone resorption, fractures, and rarely hypercalcemia, a very uncommon manifestation. Our systematic review and case report highlight that although rare, calcium disturbances occur after treatment withdrawal. These findings emphasize the importance of sequential antiresorptive therapy and close monitoring in osteoporosis patients.

backgroundDenosumab discontinuation has been associated with rebound bone resorption, rapid bone loss, and vertebral fractures. Hypercalcemia remains exceptional in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

methodsWe conducted a PRISMA-based systematic review up to April 2025, including case reports and series describing hypercalcemia after denosumab withdrawal in osteoporosis. We report one additional case.

resultsThree studies (encompassing four women, aged 64-86 years) met the inclusion criteria. All had received denosumab 60 mg every 6 months for 3-10 years, without prior bisphosphonate exposure. Hypercalcemia (range, 11.3-13.0 mg/dL), developed 3-11 months after discontinuation, was mild to moderate, and asymptomatic. Bone turnover markers were markedly elevated, with low or suppressed intact parathyroid hormone levels. Two patients sustained multiple vertebral fractures. Management consisted of reinitiation of bisphosphonates or denosumab.

conclusionsHypercalcemia after denosumab withdrawal in osteoporosis is rare, typically mild, and reflects rebound osteoclast activation. Sequential antiresorptive therapy is strongly recommended following denosumab discontinuation.

Indexed as

Bone Density Conservation AgentsDenosumabHypercalcemiaOsteoporosis, PostmenopausalAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMiddle AgedTreatment InterruptionWithholding TreatmentBone Density Conservation AgentsDenosumabBone turnover markersDenosumab discontinuationHypercalcemiaOsteoporosisRebound phenomenonVertebral fractures

Identifiers

PMID41571922
PMCPMC13083444

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.