Abstract
Objectives: The analysis aims to assess (1) compliance with anti-osteoporosis pharmacotherapy and (2) the prevalence of calcium and vitamin D co-medication among Czech women in common clinical practice. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre questionnaire survey was performed in consecutive secondary care female patients aged >= 40 years.
Three main dimensions of compliance were studied: drug compliance (based on missed doses over the last month), co-medication with calcium/vitamin D and compliance with dosing instructions for safe and effective use of bisphosphonates (BIS). Results: The therapy in 200 osteoporosis patients was alendronate (44.5%), risedronate (24.5%), raloxifene (18%) and calcitonin (13%).
The three dimensions of compliance were not associated with each other. None of the compliance-related outcomes correlated with the osteoporosis knowledge score obtained in the Osteoporosis Questionnaire (OPQ) of Pande et al.
The most frequently reported reason for noncompliance was "drug not handy". Similar mean compliance rates were achieved with once daily and once weekly BIS.
The rates of current calcium and vitamin D co-medication were 73% and 62%, respectively. Calcium co-medication was associated with obtaining information on medications against osteoporosis from other sources besides health care professionals (P=0.038).
Compliance with dosing instructions correlated negatively with age (P=0.001). Conclusion: Compliance with osteoporosis medication in Czech women is suboptimal, in particular the prevalence of co-medication with calcium/vitamin D should be higher.
It is needed to implement strategies focused on the patient's beliefs about the disease and perceptions of outcome rather than those promoting the knowledge alone