Compliance with treatment in osteoporosis patients--an ongoing problem.
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that generally requires long term therapy with agents such as bisphosphonates, selective oestrogen receptor modulators, or hormone therapy for fracture risk reduction to be apparent. However, compliance with therapy in the 'real world' setting has generally been less than that seen in clinical trials.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the trends of compliance and persistence with bisphosphonate therapy in patients with osteoporosis in the 'real world' setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Studies in Australia and overseas have shown that once weekly administration of bisphosphonates improves compliance with treatment compared with a daily regimen. However, although patients prefer once weekly bisphosphonates over daily treatment, compliance and persistence remained suboptimal in many patients receiving once weekly therapy. The introduction of less frequent dosing regimens such as once monthly or once yearly may increase compliance.
Sambrook
Philip
P
Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney, New South Wales. sambrook@med.usyd.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates