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Open Access 01-01-2012 | Original Article

Alendronate and atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials

Authors: E. Barrett-Connor, A. S. Swern, C. M. Hustad, H. G. Bone, U. A. Liberman, S. Papapoulos, H. Wang, A. de Papp, A. C. Santora

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Summary

In this meta-analysis of all Merck-conducted, placebo-controlled clinical trials of alendronate, the occurrence of AF was uncommon, with most studies reporting two or fewer events. Across all studies, no clear association between overall bisphosphonate exposure and the rate of serious or non-serious AF was observed.

Introduction

To explore the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other cardiovascular endpoints in clinical trials of alendronate.

Methods

All double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of alendronate 5, 10, or 20 mg daily, 35 mg once-weekly, 35 mg twice-weekly, and 70 mg once-weekly of at least 3 months duration conducted by Merck were included in this meta-analysis. The primary method of analysis was exact Poisson regression. Estimated relative risk (RR) of alendronate versus placebo and the associated 95% confidence interval was derived from a model that included number of episodes with factors for treatment group and study and an offset parameter for number of person-years on study.

Results

Of 41 studies considered, 32 met all criteria for inclusion in the analysis (participants—9,518 alendronate, 7,773 placebo). Estimated RR for all AF events was 1.16 (95% CI = 0.87, 1.55; p = 0.33). Most trials had two or fewer AF events. The RR of AF classified as a serious adverse event was 1.25 (95% CI = 0.82, 1.93; p = 0.33), but became 0.97 (95% CI = 0.51, 1.85) when the clinical fracture cohort of the Fracture Intervention Trial was excluded, indicating that results were driven by events in that study. Estimated RRs for other cardiovascular endpoints were less than 1.

Conclusions

The incidence of atrial fibrillation was low in Merck clinical trials of alendronate and was not significantly increased in any single trial nor in the meta-analysis. Based on this analysis, alendronate use does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

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Title: Alendronate and atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials
Authors: E. Barrett-Connor
A. S. Swern
C. M. Hustad
H. G. Bone
U. A. Liberman
S. Papapoulos
H. Wang
A. de Papp
A. C. Santora
Publication date: 01-01-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Osteoporosis International / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1546-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Alendronate and atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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