Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgia: How Big Is the Problem and What Can Be Done?

Aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIA) remains a significant clinical dilemma for breast cancer survivors and their oncologists. Approximately half of women who take aromatase inhibitors (AIs) experience joint pain which often affects daily functioning and quality of life. Effects can be so severe that many women stop taking the AI; nonetheless, we know very little about what causes AIA, or how to effectively treat it. This article briefly describes the syndrome of AIA and then discusses several potential management strategies for this frequent clinical quandary.