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Osteoporosis International

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01-03-2011 | Original Article

Adherence to osteoporosis drugs and fracture prevention: no evidence of healthy adherer bias in a frail cohort of seniors

Authors: S. M. Cadarette, D. H. Solomon, J. N. Katz, A. R. Patrick, M. A. Brookhart

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 3/2011

Abstract

Summary

We examined new users of osteoporosis drugs among seniors in Pennsylvania and found no evidence of healthy adherer bias on observed associations between adherence to treatment and non-vertebral fracture risk; we document fracture reduction with better adherence to bisphosphonates, yet no fracture reduction with better adherence to calcitonin or raloxifene.

Introduction

We examined the potential for “healthy adherer bias” when studying the effects of adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy on fracture risk. Based on clinical trial evidence, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and raloxifene reduce vertebral fracture risk; yet only bisphosphonates are documented to reduce non-vertebral fracture risk.

Methods

This is a cohort study of older women in Pennsylvania who initiated osteoporosis drugs between 1995 and 2005. We included new users of bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and raloxifene. Adherence was categorized based on a measure of compliance as high [proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥ 80%], intermediate (50% < PDC < 80%), or low (PDC ≤ 50%) according to a 180-day ascertainment period. Non-vertebral fracture rates within 365 days after the ascertainment period were compared between adherence categories (reference = low) using Cox proportional hazard models and adjusting for fracture risk factors. Primary and secondary prevention cohorts were examined separately. Adherence to calcitonin and raloxifene were control analyses.

Results

We found little difference in fracture rates between levels of adherence to calcitonin, bisphosphonates for primary prevention, or raloxifene for secondary prevention. We document lower fracture rates among high versus low adherent bisphosphonate users for secondary prevention (HR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.38–0.74) and higher fracture rates among high versus low adherent raloxifene users for primary prevention (HR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.04–3.87).

Conclusions

We document little evidence of healthy adherer bias when studying the association between better adherence to osteoporosis drugs and fracture risk reduction, with only better adherence to bisphosphonates reducing fracture risk. The higher fracture risk among highly adherent raloxifene users for primary prevention is likely due to residual confounding.

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Title: Adherence to osteoporosis drugs and fracture prevention: no evidence of healthy adherer bias in a frail cohort of seniors
Authors: S. M. Cadarette
D. H. Solomon
J. N. Katz
A. R. Patrick
M. A. Brookhart
Publication date: 01-03-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Osteoporosis International / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1309-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Adherence to osteoporosis drugs and fracture prevention: no evidence of healthy adherer bias in a frail cohort of seniors

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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