Management of post-menopausal osteoporosis in leprosy patients using one-monthly oral Ibandronate administration

Objective: To study the effects of once monthly regimen of Ibandronate on bone marrow density, severity of osteoporosis and quality of life in postmenopausal osteoporotic leprosy patients. Materials and Methods: Out of 204 eligible participants, written consent was given by 200 participants who were hence enrolled for the study. These 200 patients with postmenopausal osteoporotic leprosy were administered with Ibandronate tablet (150mg) as once monthly from October 2010 to October 2011. Patients were analyzed for BMD, severity of osteoporosis and quality of life index. Results: The percentage change in the hip BMD at first follow up was increased by 8.83%. and with second follow up it was increased by 14.51%. A total of 4 patients were in Singhs Index Grade I, 128 patients in Grade II and 60 patients in Grade III severity at the baseline screening. No study dropouts were found for entire 1 year of treatment duration, that is 100% adherence were observed in subjects undergoing treatment. Conclusion: Monthly regimen of Ibandronate confirmed having better tolerability and adherence in postmenopausal osteoporotic leprosy patients. The present study was grounded on the assumption that osteoporotic postmenopausal leprosy patients often experience low levels of quality of life. This was substantiated by the findings, where majority of females in showed improvement in their QOL, with reference to physical activity and pain, limitations to daily activities, change in emotional status and general health status.