Objective: To obtain descriptive information concerning the extent to which patients taking oral glucocorticoids recall receiving osteoporosis prevention counseling, and to identify factors associated with the practice of 3 behaviors (i.e., calcium intake, vitamin D intake, and bone mineral density [BMD] testing) recommended for patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy.
Methods: The study assessed cross-sectional data derived from telephone interviews and mailed questionnaires completed by 227 patients who were currently taking oral prednisone. Questions assessed current calcium and vitamin D intake and history of BMD testing.
Results: Approximately one-third of participants (36.3%) reported that they had received osteoporosis prevention counseling. Among those who reported receiving counseling, most (73.2%) remembered being told about the importance of obtaining an adequate amount of calcium. Other topics were remembered less frequently. Slightly more than half of study participants (51.1%) were obtaining the recommended amount of calcium. Fewer were obtaining the recommended amount of vitamin D (35.2%) or had received a BMD test within the past year (33.5%). The most consistent predictors of behavior were counseling status and patients' perceptions of the difficulty associated with performing the behavior.
Conclusion: Most patients receiving oral glucocorticoids receive insufficient counseling concerning the prevention of osteoporosis; patients either are not being counseled or they are being counseled in a manner that is not sufficient to promote subsequent recall and behavior change. Research is needed to develop effective strategies to educate patients about the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.