New research presented at the American Society
for Bone and Mineral Research 30th Annual Meeting in Montreal highlighted
differences in attitudes towards osteoporosis supplementations.
Researchers evaluated treatment knowledge among 383 women aged 50 years and
older with postmenopausal osteoporosis in France, Germany, Spain and the United
Kingdom. Women were questioned on bisphosphonate adherence and calcium and
vitamin D supplementation.
Ninety percent of women in Spain reported using some sort of supplementation
compared with 74% in Germany, 69% in France and 61% in the United Kingdom. Less
than half reported taking both calcium and vitamin D with bisphosphonates — 49%
in Germany, 46% in France, 43% in Spain and 37% in the United Kingdom.
U.K. women were least likely to recognize the
importance of calcium and vitamin D supplementation — one-third reported never
discussing supplementation with a physician. Yet, more than half (51%) of the
women in Spain reported regular discussions with their physician compared with
36% in Germany, 24% in France and 9% in the United Kingdom.
Up to 30% of women in all four countries reported regularly missing a dose. The
reasons most commonly cited were lack of knowledge about the benefits of
supplementation and no detailed instruction from the physician.
The researchers cautioned interpretation of these data, as they are “claimed
data” based on patient testimonials. – by Katie Kalvaitis
