Evaluation of adherence to calcium, vitamin D and drugs for osteoporosis in patients with low bone mineral density

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of bone tissue, which leads to an increase in bone fragility and higher risk of fractures. The aim of the study was to determine adherence to calcium, vitamin D, and drugs for osteoporosis in patients with reduced bone mineral density, as well as to analyze reasons for low adherence. Methods. The study conducted in the Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad, Serbia, involved 80 postmenopausal women with reduced bone mineral density measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Each patient filled out a specially designed questionnaire. Assessment of adherence to calcium, vitamin D, and drugs for osteoporosis was done by the Morisky scale. In the statistical analysis we used the SPSS program v. 20. Results. All the patients were female; 67.5% had osteoporosis and 32.5% had osteopenia; 62.5% of women said that they use calcium supplementation, 81.3% vitamin D, and 62.3% drugs; 81.2% of women who used supplementation had low adherence to calcium, 82.8% low adherence to vitamin D, and 65.8% low adherence to drugs for osteoporosis. Adherence to medication for osteoporosis is better in relation to the adherence of vitamin D and calcium (p < 0.05, χ2 test). The reasons for low adherence are mainly the cost of preparation and forgetfulness. Patients who received drugs intravenously had better adherence than patients who received drugs subcutaneously or orally. Conclusion. Adherence to vitamin D, calcium, and drugs for osteoporosis is presently low in investigated population and the understanding of the causes of low adherence is still insufficiently explored.

Keywords

• osteoporosis
• patient adherence
• calcium
• vitamin D