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Patient education in groups increases knowledge of osteoporosis and adherence to treatment: a two-year randomized
Dorthe Nielsen1, Jesper Ryg, Winnie Nielsen
1Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark. dnielsen@health.sdu.dk
Objective:
Non-adherence to pharmacological treatment in osteoporosis is a well-recognized problem. We hypothesized that a group-based educational programme would increase patients' knowledge and level of adherence with medical treatment.
Methods:
A total of 300 patients (32 men aged 65 ± 9 years and 268 women aged 63 ± 8 years), recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, were randomised to either an osteoporosis school programme (four classes of 8-12 participants over four weeks) or a control group. Teaching was multidisciplinary, based on patients' experiences and background and designed to encourage empowerment. Patients' knowledge about osteoporosis and adherence to treatment was assessed with self-completed questionnaires at baseline and after 3, 12, and 24 months.
Results:
There were no significant differences at baseline between the two groups with respect to knowledge score or level of adherence. At two years' follow-up, the improvement in knowledge score was 2 [0-4] points (median [25-75 percentiles]) in the school group and 0 [-2 to 2] in controls (p<0.001) and self-reported adherence to pharmacological therapy was significantly higher in the school group (92%) compared to the control group (80%), p<0.001.
Conclusion:
The programme increased knowledge about osteoporosis and increased self-reported adherence to pharmacological treatment over a period of two years.
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