Compliance of postmenopausal osteoporotic and osteopenic patients with calcium and vitamin D therapy

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate compliance with Calcium + vitamin D (CaD) therapy by patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteopenia. Patients and methods: Two hundred and thirty seven female patients who were treated for osteoporosis or osteopenia one year ago and enrolled in our clinic for management were investigated for demographic features and risk factors for osteoporosis. The patients were divided into two groups, an osteoporosis group (Opo group; n=171; mean age 65.0±8.4 years; range 42 to 80 years) and osteopenia group (Ope group; n=66; mean age 58.9±9.5 years; range 45 to 79 years). Their compliance with medical treatment was evaluated by asking how many days in a week they took the drugs regularly. Results: All patients were postmenopausal period. The education level of the Opo group was significantly lower than the Ope group (p=0.016). While 90% of the Opo group was taking CaD preparation regularly and compliantly, the compliance of Ope group was 29%, indicating a significant difference between the groups (p=0.001). The mean number of days of CaD intake in a year was significantly higher in the Opo group than the Ope group (339 days/year and 137 days/year respectively; p=0.001). Conclusion: Although the Ope group consisted of patients who were much younger and had higher education level compared to the Opo group, the amount of CaD preparation they took on a yearly basis was significantly lower than that of the Opo group, suggesting that the Ope group had poor compliance to the treatment. The results of this study showed that patients with osteopenia, even when they have better education level, should be enlightened about their disease and informed as sufficiently as the osteoporotic patient group about osteopenia as a disease that requires medical treatment and regular doctor control, when planning medical therapy to maintain compliance with CaD therapy