The relationship between bisphosphonate use and demographic characteristics of male osteoporosis patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTI˙ON:This study aimed to investigate a number of demographic characteristics in males with osteoporosis (OP) treated with bisphosphonate and determine whether any of these measures could act as an effective indicator of medication persistence and compliance.MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among the patients with OP who applied to our clinic and were prescribed weekly oral bisphosphonate treatment, 89 patients over 50 years of age were included in this study. The demographic characteristics of these patients were evaluated. The number of medications used by the patients over the past 1 and 3 years were counted, and the persistence and compliance with bisphosphonate treatment was estimated. The patients were divided into two groups: fully compliant and noncompliant subjects. The two groups of patients were compared separately for 1 and 3 years while considering their demographic characteristics. RESULTS:The mean age of the 89 patients included in the study was 62.43¡9.41 years. Comparisons among the studied demographic characteristics during the 1-year period of medication use indicated that the educational status of the fully compliant patients was higher. During the 3-year period of medication use, educational status was the only demographic characteristic that was determined to be significantly lower in the noncompliant patients than in the fully compliant group.CONCLUSION: Although deficiencies in medication persistence and compliance during osteoporosis treatment can lead to serious health and social problems in both genders, the causes of these deficiencies have not been thoroughly clarified. We suggest that the educational status of the patient may contribute to these deficiencies.

Adherence to osteoporosis regimens among men and analysis of risk factors of poor compliance: a 2-year analytical review

“…Hansen et al [ 14 ] reported that adherence to alendronate in male veterans during the first 12 and 24 months of therapy was 59% and 54%, respectively. A small series study by Cevikoi A [ 15 ] demonstrated that full compliance rates for the 1- and 3-year periods were 49.4% and 17.9%, respectively. The results of our investigation of good compliance at the first year were similar to those of most studies on postmenopausal women [ 14 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Previous investigations that were mainly focused on bisphosphonate users demonstrated 1-year PRs ranging from 24% to 74.8% [ 15 , 21 , 34 - 36 ]. In our study, the persistence curve revealed an obvious drop (38.3%) in the first year, but a less prominent (19.5%) drop in the second year among those subjects persistent with their medication at the end of the first year.…”

“…Possible factors affecting medication adherence have been reviewed in the literature and include side effects, smoking behavior, surveying for bone density during therapy, educational status, social support, marital status, and income [ 14 , 15 , 41 ]. However, these factors were not analyzed annually, as done in our investigation.…”

“…In a meta-analysis of 24 studies, 40-70% of osteoporotic patients were reported to be non-adherent [ 13 ]. Although male subjects at an advanced age often have osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures, little is known about their exact adherence rates because researchers rarely include men in osteoporosis adherence studies, [ 14 , 15 ] or seldom report adherence rates separately or exclusively for men. Non-adherence to osteoporosis regimens is clearly associated with poorer outcomes.…”

“…Non-adherence in women has been previously reported to be related to the drugs, the patients, and the doctors [ 16 - 18 ]. Few studies in the literature have investigated the factors affecting adherence among males with osteoporosis [ 14 , 15 ]. Therefore, further identification of risk factors for non-adherence among males with osteoporosis may help improve adherence and ultimately reduce fracture risk.…”