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| |  Majority of Patients With Osteoporosis Not Receiving Calcium, Vitamin D With Treatment GENEVA -- September 15, 2008 -- New research published today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), Montréal, Canada, reveals that less than half (43%) of patients in Europe with osteoporosis are claiming to take both calcium and vitamin D supplementation with their osteoporosis treatment. "Patients with a low intake of calcium and vitamin D may not be receiving the full benefit of their osteoporosis treatment if they do not take enough supplementation," said lead author Steven Boonen MD, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium. "It is important that patients not only take both their calcium and vitamin D supplements, but also to ensure that they take them regularly." The aim of the study was to evaluate treatment knowledge and behaviour in women receiving treatment for their osteoporosis with regard to their calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Research was conducted among 383 women aged 50 years and older who had been diagnosed and treated for postmenopausal osteoporosis in France (n = 97), Germany (n = 98), Spain (n = 94), and the United Kingdom (n = 94). Results showed that even when patients did take some form of supplementation, up to 30% claim they regularly missed a dose. Further analysis of those patients who said they regularly missed a dose revealed that they were either not convinced of the importance of supplementation, or they did not receive a detailed explanation from their treating physician. Patient responses also showed that there is a need for some sort of aid (a tool or packaging) that would help them take their osteoporosis medication and supplementation. This need for help is supported by patient preference data, which shows that over 70% of patients believe that providing a bisphosphonate with calcium and vitamin D in 1 box can help them take their supplements regularly and correctly. The research highlights interesting differences in attitudes to supplementation across the 4 European countries included in the study. Ninety percent of patients from Spain claimed that they were taking some form of supplementation with their osteoporosis treatment, compared with as few as 61% in the United Kingdom, and 69% in France. "The disparities between countries in attitudes to supplementation may be due to differences in cultures, national health policies, or local disease awareness initiatives," said Patrice Fardellone, MD, CHU Amiens Hospital, Amiens, France. "Whilst this research has shown some positive results, there is still room for improvement. It is vital that clinicians continue to educate their patients on the importance of supplements and encourage them to see supplementation as part of complete osteoporosis treatment."
SOURCE: Ketchum
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