title: Preferences of patients receiving bisphosphonates--how to influence the therapeutic adherence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapeutic adherence determines the efficacy of treatments in the clinical practice. Especially in chronic asymptomatic diseases large differences exist between therapeutic success in clinical studies and clinical practice. The treatment of osteoporosis using bisphosphonates is considerably influenced by the low adherence of patients due to the complicated drug application.
  
  
  METHODS
  The VIVA study analyzed the preferences of 1635 patients with osteoporosis in Slovakia using a simple questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients--76% preferred the monthly regime of bisphosphonate therapy, 22% of patients preferred the weekly regimen and only a minority--2% preferred daily application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are in agreement with results of the BALTO study in the USA and the SWIFT study in Switzerland showing a clear preference to the monthly regime. The preferences of patients were motivated by various different aspects of improved quality of life, which is offered by the new bisphosphonate regimen once monthly.
authors: 5th Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty Hospital, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
authors: Juraj
authors: J
authors: Payer
authors: Zdenko
authors: Z
authors: Killinger
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Sulková
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Celec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D018154:Slovakia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates