Table 1.

Summary statistics from pooled analysis at fixed time points for effect of bisphosphonates on radiotherapy, non-vertebral fractures, orthopaedic surgery, and hypercalcaemia in patients with metastatic bone disease

Months of treatment	No of studies	No of patients	Odds ratio (95% CI)	P value
Radiotherapy
6-11	4	1903	0.60 (0.47 to 0.77)	0.0001
12-17	5	1807	0.54 (0.38 to 0.76)	0.0001
18-23	3	1130	0.58 (0.44 to 0.76)	0.0001
≥24	2	753	0.56 (0.40 to 0.78)	0.001
Non-vertebral fractures
6-11	4	1903	0.75 (0.50 to 1.14)	0.179
12-17	4	1430	0.68 (0.48 to 0.96)	0.031
18-23	2	753	0.68 (0.41 to 1.12)	0.129
≥24	2	753	0.65 (0.37 to 1.14)	0.132
Orthopaedic surgery
6-11	3	1526	0.92 (0.36 to 2.35)	0.866
12-17	3	1396	0.61 (0.37 to 1.01)	0.054
18-23	2	753	0.52 (0.26 to 1.05)	0.067
≥24	2	753	0.49 (0.28 to 0.86)	0.013
Hypercalcaemia
6-11	5	1916	0.42 (0.24 to 0.74)	0.003
12-17	5	1807	0.50 (0.28 to 0.90)	0.02
18-23	3	1130	0.56 (0.27 to 1.17)	0.12
≥24	2	753	0.42 (0.34 to 0.51)	0.0001