OBJECTIVE: This study assessed osteoporosis knowledge deficits among cancer patients and their spouses/partners. DESIGN: Single-institution survey (modified version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool). SETTING: The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive chemotherapy-treated cancer patients (n = 285) with their spouses/partners (n = 101). OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was the percentage of cancer patients who incorrectly conveyed that 1) cancer treatment strengthens bones (or did not know) and/or 2) male cancer patients are not at risk for osteoporosis (or did not know). ANALYSES: Test scores and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as the correlation between patient and spouse/partner scores, are reported. RESULTS: 39% of patients (95% CI, 32% - 48%) thought cancer treatment strengthened bones or did not know, and 39% (95% CI, 32% - 48%) either answered that osteoporosis almost never occurred in men or did not know. The mean correct score on the modified Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool was 6.7 (95% CI, 6.7, 7.9), and scores from patients correlated with companion scores (r = 0.42; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Chemotherapy-treated cancer patients and their companions have knowledge deficits concerning osteoporosis. Educational initiatives to increase awareness may be of value.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed osteoporosis knowledge deficits among cancerpatients and their spouses/partners. DESIGN: Single-institution survey (modified version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool). SETTING: The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive chemotherapy-treated cancerpatients (n = 285) with their spouses/partners (n = 101). OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was the percentage of cancerpatients who incorrectly conveyed that 1) cancer treatment strengthens bones (or did not know) and/or 2) male cancerpatients are not at risk for osteoporosis (or did not know). ANALYSES: Test scores and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as the correlation between patient and spouse/partner scores, are reported. RESULTS: 39% of patients (95% CI, 32% - 48%) thought cancer treatment strengthened bones or did not know, and 39% (95% CI, 32% - 48%) either answered that osteoporosis almost never occurred in men or did not know. The mean correct score on the modified Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool was 6.7 (95% CI, 6.7, 7.9), and scores from patients correlated with companion scores (r = 0.42; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Chemotherapy-treated cancerpatients and their companions have knowledge deficits concerning osteoporosis. Educational initiatives to increase awareness may be of value.
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