Session Information
Date: Sunday, November 13, 2016
Session Title: Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease – Clinical Aspects and Pathogenesis - Poster
Session Type: ACR Poster Session A
Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM
Background/Purpose: Osteoporosis represents a preventable and often treatable condition that is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually in the United States. Proper patient knowledge represents a crucial aspect of disease management and has potential implications in treatment adherence and lifestyle modification. By examining how much patients know about their own diagnosis, their disease knowledge, and what resources they would like to use we aim to lay the groundwork for developing efficient patient education resources.
Methods: We surveyed 52 individuals and collected data on demographics, bone density test results, disease knowledge (using a validated survey), and educational sources both used and preferred. This was done to learn how much patients know about their condition on a fundamental level.
Results: 50% of participants diagnosed with osteoporosis correctly self-reported their condition, as did 21.1% diagnosed with osteopenia. Between the normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis groups there were no significant differences between their scores on the patient-knowledge questionnaire. The resources most used by patients were Handouts/Brochures and Internet/Personal Research, and patients reported a preference for learning directly from their Doctor/Nurse.
| Knowledge Questionnaire (True/False) | Percent Correct |
|
1) Osteoporosis means having a worse bone density than osteopenia. T |
74.5% |
|
2) Osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of bone fractures. T |
98.1% |
|
3) Osteoarthritis is another term for osteoporosis. F |
75.0% |
|
4) Osteoporosis causes joint pain. F |
46.8% |
|
5) Osteoporosis is more common in men. F |
97.9% |
|
6) If my mother has osteoporosis, then I am at a higher risk of getting it too. T |
81.6% |
|
7) Heavy drinking/alcohol use has been linked with osteoporosis/osteopenia. T |
63.0% |
|
8) Cigarette smoking can increase risk of osteoporosis. T |
89.1% |
|
9) Regular exercise especially walking is known to weaken bones and cause osteoporosis. F |
96.0% |
|
10) Decreased levels of sex hormones can increase the risk of getting osteoporosis. T |
59.1% |
|
11) Calcium is important for bone health. T |
100% |
|
12) Sardines and broccoli are good sources of calcium for people who cannot take dairy products. T |
89.1% |
|
13) A woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis decreases after menopause. |
93.6% |
|
14) Taking prednisone regularly can increase risk of developing osteoporosis. T |
81.8% |
|
15) Taking Fosamax (alendronate) can decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis. T |
66.7% |
Conclusion: The majority of fractures occur in patients with osteopenia because they have not yet been treated or diagnosed. Our study confirms the lack of disease awareness in patients with osteopenia. We confirmed the invaluable role of medical personnel in teaching patients about bone density loss. It is through efficient learning that patients can be empowered to take charge of their health.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Beg S, Ziyar A. An Examination of Patient Knowledge and Education in Patients with Osteoporosis, Osteopenia and Normal Bone Mineral Density [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/an-examination-of-patient-knowledge-and-education-in-patients-with-osteoporosis-osteopenia-and-normal-bone-mineral-density/. Accessed October 21, 2021.« Back to 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/an-examination-of-patient-knowledge-and-education-in-patients-with-osteoporosis-osteopenia-and-normal-bone-mineral-density/