title: Knowledge about osteoporosis in postmenopausal women undergoing antiresorptive treatment.
abstract: A good understanding and knowledge of osteoporosis is a prerequisite for the success of preventive measures as well as treatment adherence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge about osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia undergoing antiresorptive treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was based on a sample of 232 postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis diagnosed by bone density studies and seen at the Menopause Outpatient Clinic at Caism/Unicamp. Women's knowledge of osteoporosis was assessed by means of the OPQ (Osteoporosis questionnaire), a 20-item questionnaire about osteoporosis in areas of general information, risk factors, consequences and treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the women was 61.6 years (±8.2 years) and the average time since menopause was 16.8 years. The average knowledge score obtained by the OPQ was 3.78. The average score for correct answers was 9.8 points, while the average score for incorrect answers was 6 points and 'don't know' answers was 4.1 points. Bivariate analysis showed the variables most closely associated with greater knowledge: education (p<0.01), reading (p<0.02), socioeconomic status (p<0.03), means of acquiring osteoporosis medication (p<0.02), and absence of comorbidities (p<0.04). On multiple regression analysis, the factors which remained associated with better knowledge were higher education, higher socioeconomic status scores and absence of comorbidities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women diagnosed with the disease was limited. Level of education was a strong predictor of knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Unicamp Medical School, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. paivaepaiva@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costa-Paiva
authors.forename: Débora Castro
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Sirlei S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Adriana Orcesi
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.forename: Aarão Mendes
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinto-Neto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D017698:Postmenopause; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents