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Link between fracture prevention, treatment adherence not fully understood by patients
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Newly-released findings of a multinational survey show clear disparities between patients’ and doctors’ perceptions of osteoporosis and its management.
The 13-country telephone survey, conducted on behalf of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and published in the Archives of Osteoporosis, investigated 837 physicians and 844 postmenopausal patients aged 55 years and older for reported gaps between patient and physician understanding of the emotional and physical impact of osteoporosis.
The survey also sought to identify barriers to patient adherence and understand the ways in which patients with osteoporosis could better share and obtain information about management of the disease.
Study’s key findings
Key findings included:
- Patients are not as well-informed as they believe themselves to be;
- Patients fear fractures and worry about their quality of life, but do not always adhere to treatment;
- Doctors consistently underestimate their patients’ adherence to treatment; and
- Doctors underestimate patients’ concerns about fracture, the impact of osteoporosis on their quality of life, and fear of dependency.
The survey also showed the willingness of physicians to support initiatives that would improve patient adherence to treatment. Eighty percent of physicians surveyed would reportedly be willing to hand out educational materials to increase adherence, and 76% would recommend patient programs that encourage better communication on osteoporosis management.
Adherence to osteoporosis therapy can reportedly be attributed to underestimation of personal risk, uncertainty of benefits vs. risks of treatment, side-effects and a belief in the efficacy of lifestyle measures alone.
Physician underestimates
The study found that physicians underestimated how many patients worry about fracture (51% vs. 79%), as well as patient concerns about declines in activity levels (40% vs. 70%), becoming dependent upon others (30% vs. 60%) and not being able to work for longer periods of time (30% vs. 57%).
In addition, patients believed the most credible osteoporosis information to be available from specialists (94%). Seventy-five percent said they would like easy-to-understand materials, and 49% said they would welcome inter-patient discussions of the condition.
Most physicians, meanwhile, believed that osteoporosis organizations are among the most credible sources for information (88%).
The study authors suggested that community-wide support programs may help patients to manage their concerns and address unmet needs in osteoporosis management.
For more information:
- Rizzoli R. Arch Osteoporos. 2011;doi:10.1007/s11657-010-0049-1.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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