Stefano Coaccioli1, Giorgio Celi1, Mariano Edoardo Crapa1, Francesco Masia1, Maria Luisa Brandi2. 1. General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, "Polo di Terni", "AO Santa Maria" of Terni, Terni, Italy. 2. Diseases of the Mineral and Bone Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Firenze, "Policlinico Careggi", Firenze, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Since low adherence to a long-term therapy results in a poor clinical outcome and significantly increases healthcare costs, adherence to the treatment of chronic disorders is an issue of great interest. This is particularly true of the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). PURPOSE OF STUDY: Adherence to the osteoporosis therapy in patients treated with bisphosphonates in tablet form has been evaluated in comparison with the adherence of those taking alendronate in soluble solution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Here we present a retrospective study of 245 patients treated with alendronate, risedronate and ibandronate tablets and a prospective study of 118 patients treated with soluble alendronate. In both studies, patients have been observed for a period of 12 months. RESULTS: The analysis of patients' persistence with the treatment plan, assessed at three, six and 12 months, revealed a significantly higher adherence (p < 0.005) in the cohort of patients treated with soluble alendronate (92.37% at 12 months) compared with those who followed the course of treatment with tablets (65.4 %, 12 months). CONCLUSIONS: The investigation showed higher adherence to the oral therapy with soluble alendronate, demonstrating that a formulation obtained by this method can contribute to a higher level of persistence with the treatment of a disease such as osteoporosis, which requires a long-term therapeutic plan.
INTRODUCTION: Since low adherence to a long-term therapy results in a poor clinical outcome and significantly increases healthcare costs, adherence to the treatment of chronic disorders is an issue of great interest. This is particularly true of the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). PURPOSE OF STUDY: Adherence to the osteoporosis therapy in patients treated with bisphosphonates in tablet form has been evaluated in comparison with the adherence of those taking alendronate in soluble solution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Here we present a retrospective study of 245 patients treated with alendronate, risedronate and ibandronate tablets and a prospective study of 118 patients treated with soluble alendronate. In both studies, patients have been observed for a period of 12 months. RESULTS: The analysis of patients' persistence with the treatment plan, assessed at three, six and 12 months, revealed a significantly higher adherence (p < 0.005) in the cohort of patients treated with soluble alendronate (92.37% at 12 months) compared with those who followed the course of treatment with tablets (65.4 %, 12 months). CONCLUSIONS: The investigation showed higher adherence to the oral therapy with soluble alendronate, demonstrating that a formulation obtained by this method can contribute to a higher level of persistence with the treatment of a disease such as osteoporosis, which requires a long-term therapeutic plan.
Authors: K Reynolds; P Muntner; T C Cheetham; T N Harrison; D E Morisky; S Silverman; D T Gold; S S Vansomphone; R Wei; C D O'Malley Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2013-04-18 Impact factor: 4.507