title: Alendronate soluble solution: a higher adherence rate in the treatment of osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since low adherence to a long-term therapy results in a poor clinical outcome and significantly increases healthcare costs, adherence to the treatment of chronic disorders is an issue of great interest. This is particularly true of the treatment of osteoporosis (OP).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Adherence to the osteoporosis therapy in patients treated with bisphosphonates in tablet form has been evaluated in comparison with the adherence of those taking alendronate in soluble solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we present a retrospective study of 245 patients treated with alendronate, risedronate and ibandronate tablets and a prospective study of 118 patients treated with soluble alendronate. In both studies, patients have been observed for a period of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis of patients' persistence with the treatment plan, assessed at three, six and 12 months, revealed a significantly higher adherence (p < 0.005) in the cohort of patients treated with soluble alendronate (92.37% at 12 months) compared with those who followed the course of treatment with tablets (65.4 %, 12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The investigation showed higher adherence to the oral therapy with soluble alendronate, demonstrating that a formulation obtained by this method can contribute to a higher level of persistence with the treatment of a disease such as osteoporosis, which requires a long-term therapeutic plan.
authors.affiliation: General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, "Polo di Terni", "AO Santa Maria" of Terni, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coaccioli
authors.affiliation: General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, "Polo di Terni", "AO Santa Maria" of Terni, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Celi
authors.affiliation: General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, "Polo di Terni", "AO Santa Maria" of Terni, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano Edoardo
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Crapa
authors.affiliation: General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, "Polo di Terni", "AO Santa Maria" of Terni, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Masia
authors.affiliation: Diseases of the Mineral and Bone Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Firenze, "Policlinico Careggi", Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brandi
keywords: adherence; bisphosphonate; compliance; osteoporosis; soluble alendronate