Extended treatment with denosumab is associated with continued reduction in non-vertebral fracture rates, according to findings from an extension of a clinical trial.

In the extension phase of the three-year FREEDOM trial, more than 4000 women from 172 centres continued on denosumab or switched from placebo to the drug for seven years, including 2343 on denosumab for the full 10-year study period and 1731 who crossed over.

Overall, non-vertebral fracture rates in women taking the drug were 2.15 per 100 patient-years in years 1-3, decreasing to 1.53 in years 4-7, the authors write in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Among women on treatment for 10 years, fracture rates were 1.98 per 100 patient-years in years 1-3, falling to 1.44 in years 4-10.