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Osteoporosis International
Published in: Osteoporosis International 3/2008

01-03-2008 | Original Article

Adherence to alendronate in male veterans

Authors: K. E. Hansen, E. D. Swenson, B. Baltz, A. A. Schuna, A. N. Jones, M. E. Elliott

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 3/2008

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Abstract

Summary

In one Veterans Affairs’ medical center, alendronate non-adherence was more likely in male veterans who smoke or report side effects, and less likely in men undergoing bone densitometry during therapy. Providers urgently need programs to increase adherence to osteoporosis medications. Initial programs should target patients with risk factors for non-adherence.

Introduction

Adherence to osteoporosis therapy in men is unknown. We hypothesized that ca. 50% of men at one center would be adherent to alendronate and one or more patient-specific factors would associate with adherence.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review study of male veterans to determine the rates and predictors of alendronate adherence over two years. We excluded women, men who received primary care elsewhere and those who took alendronate for indications other than low bone mass. We defined adherence as a medication possession ratio ≥80% in the first 24 months of therapy.

Results

Adherence in the first 12 and 24 months of therapy was 59% and 54%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, non-adherence was more likely in men using tobacco (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.13, 3.84, p = 0.02) and reporting side effects (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.14, 3.73, p = 0.02) and less likely in men undergoing bone density during therapy (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26, 0.90, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Alendronate non-adherence is more likely in male veterans who smoke or report side effects, and less likely in men having bone densitometry during therapy. Providers urgently need programs to increase adherence to osteoporosis medications. Initial programs should target patients with risk factors for non-adherence.
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Metadata
Title
Adherence to alendronate in male veterans
Authors
K. E. Hansen
E. D. Swenson
B. Baltz
A. A. Schuna
A. N. Jones
M. E. Elliott
Publication date
01-03-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Osteoporosis International / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0471-4

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