Osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and healthy bone behaviours in patients on androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe in patients with prostate cancer, receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT): (i) knowledge, self-efficacy (SE), and health beliefs about osteoporosis (OP); (ii) current engagement in healthy bone behaviours (HBBs). To explore the relationships between knowledge, SE, and health beliefs, and engagement in HBBs.


METHODS
175 patients receiving ADT by injection completed questionnaires assessing current HBBs, OP knowledge, SE, and health beliefs (motivation, perceived susceptibility, and seriousness). Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used to assess relationships between knowledge, SE, health beliefs, and engagement in HBBs.


RESULTS
Only 38% of patients had undergone a dual X-ray absorptiometry scan in the past 2 years. OP knowledge was low (mean [sd, range] 9.6 [4.4, 0-19]) and perceived SE moderate (84.7 [24.5, 0-120]). Health motivation was fairly high (23.6 [3.1, 6-30]), but perceived susceptibility (16.8 [4.3]) and seriousness (16.8 [4.2]) of OP were low. Few patients met the recommendations for vitamin D intake (42%) and exercise (31%), and 15% were at risk of over-supplementation of calcium. Patients taking calcium supplements (P = 0.04), and meeting guidelines for vitamin D (P = 0.008) and for exercise (P = 0.002) had significantly greater knowledge than those who did not. Patients who were engaging in less than four of five HBBs had lower knowledge (P < 0.001) and health motivation (P = 0.01) than those who were engaging in four or all five HBBs.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients who are receiving ADT are not receiving appropriate screening, lack basic information about bone health, and are not engaging in the appropriate HBBs. These findings support the application of the Health Belief Model in this population: interventions that teach patients about the implications of bone loss, encourage proper uptake of HBBs, and promote feelings of SE could increase engagement in HBBs to prevent and manage bone loss.
Cancer Survivorship Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Michelle
M
Nadler
Shabbir
S
Alibhai
Pamela
P
Catton
Charles
C
Catton
Matthew J
MJ
To
Jennifer M
JM
Jones
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015519:Bone Density; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000726:Androgen Antagonists