Preferences of patients receiving bisphosphonates--how to influence the therapeutic adherence.
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.
Payer
Juraj
J
5th Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty Hospital, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Killinger
Zdenko
Z
Sulková
Ivana
I
Celec
Peter
P
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
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates