Does a patient's knowledge about osteoporosis have an influence

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine if calcium intake in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia is influenced by the patient’s knowledge about the disease. The results presented are collected from an ongoing survey on dietary and other behaviour in women with lower bone density. Subjects were 197 women with an average age of 62.9 years. Specially designed quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and, additional questionnaire for demographic data were used. When asked in what period of life they consumed the highest quantity of milk and dairy products, in the highest percent of subjects (27.8%) the answer was after the age of 50 years. In this case, although not significantly, the ages are negatively correlated with calcium intake. Years of education did not significantly correlate with calcium intake. Subjects that knew the recommended calcium intake in average had also a higher calcium intake (1369.6 mg) than those who did not (929.2 mg) and had significantly higher (p = 0.01) supplemental calcium intake than those who did not know the recommended calcium intake. No significant difference in calcium intake was observed when osteoporosis, reported in family anamnesis, is taken into account. The period of time from diagnosis did not correlate with calcium intake. Significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed for calcium intake as well as the number of correct answers on questions about osteoporosis and food checklist where benefits of calcium sources are recognize.This study showed that a patient’s knowledge about osteoporosis is important in achieving adequate calcium intake