Evaluation of adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatment from the socio-economic context

J Med Life. 2015;8 Spec Issue(Spec Issue):119-23.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by the reduction of the bone mass and the modification of the bone architecture, which leads to the risk of fracture of the fragile bones, this being the main clinical consequence of the disease. At the same time, osteoporosis is not only a problem by itself, but it is very important from the point of view of the consequences it may produce. Among its consequences, fractures should be mentioned especially in elders, their presence finally leading to an important decrease in the quality of life or even to death. Osteoporosis affects a high amount of persons, preponderantly elders, being considered a very important problem as the society we are talking about deals with the problem of aging. Socio-economical factors and their impact in the development of different pathologies have been seriously analyzed, especially by the western school of medicine. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the adherence to the treatment for osteoporosis of patients diagnosed with osteoporosis or in whom this diagnosis was taken into consideration by the physician, according to some characteristics identified as being the most relevant by a group of specialists. 210 patients were evaluated in this study during January 2011 and December 2013. This study highlighted the way patients with a real or presumptive diagnosis of osteoporosis adhere to the treatment for this disease according to the conditions considered relevant by a team of rheumatologists. It is important to notice that, still from the beginning, once the duration of the disease grows, patients become more and more conscious of the seriousness of the disease and more and more of them adhere to the treatment.

Keywords: anti-osteoporosis treatment; elder patients; osteoporosis; socio-economic context.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / economics*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / economics*
  • Socioeconomic Factors

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents