CalOPT: A Specialty Pharmacy-Dietitian Quality Improvement Initiative for Calcium Optimization in Patients with...

A total of 38% of Americans do not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium including those at risk for osteoporosis. To increase the percentage of patients at risk for osteoporosis who achieve goal calcium RDA intake, a collaborative specialty pharmacy-registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) quality improvement program was developed. Patients aged 18 to 90 years old receiving osteoporosis therapy (denosumab, teriparatide, zoledronic acid) or medications that increase bone loss (elagolix, oral prednisone) were provided with a structured assessment and educational intervention. Daily calcium intake included patient self-reported dietary intake plus supplement use. Written and verbal education on increasing dietary intake based on patient preferences was provided with 5 calcium-rich food-source store coupons. Recommendations for supplement selection (citrate vs. carbonate) and/or medication-related problem resolution were provided. Follow-up occurred at 3-6 months. Fifty patients enrolled [94% female, mean age 66.6 years (SD 15.3)] were taking denosumab (36), teriparatide (1), zoledronic acid (1), elagolix (7) and prednisone (5). The mean baseline daily dietary calcium intake was 500 mg (SD 247) with none achieving goal intake with diet alone. Average calcium supplement use in 22 (44%) patients was 686 mg daily (SD 284). At baseline, 17 (34%) met goal daily calcium intake compared to 30 (60%) at post intervention follow-up (p = 0.009). Over half of the store coupons were redeemed. A specialty pharmacy-RDN customized intervention program provides a model for aiding patients to modify calcium intake.