Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect that level of concern for osteoporosis, as well as self-perceived risk of osteoporosis and fracture, has on supplementation use, seeking medical advice, bone mineral density (BMD) testing, and antiosteoporosis medication (AOM) use. Study subjects were 1,095 female Australian participants of the Global Longitudinal study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) untreated for osteoporosis at baseline. Study outcomes from self-administered questionnaires included calcium and vitamin D supplementation, self-reported seeking of medical advice regarding osteoporosis, BMD testing, and AOM use in the last 12 months at the late assessment. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. Concern significantly increased the likelihood of seeking medical advice and, however, had no significant impact on screening or treatment. Heightened self-perceived risks of osteoporosis and fracture both significantly increased the likelihood of seeking medical advice and BMD testing while elevated self-perceived risk of fracture increased AOM use. Supplementation use was not significantly associated with concern levels and risk perception. Concern and risk perceptions to osteoporosis and fracture were significantly associated with certain bone-protective behaviours. However, the disconnect between perceived osteoporosis risk and AOM use illustrates the need to emphasize the connection between osteoporosis and fracture in future education programs.
Highlights
Osteoporosis is characterised by the reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) and the deterioration in bone architecture
Previous studies have found that the lack of awareness of personal risk to osteoporosis resulted from a lack of knowledge about osteoporosis [8,9,10], but more alarmingly, the prevalent belief that osteoporosis is a consequential and unavoidable disease associated with ageing in older women [11]
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect that level of concern for osteoporosis as well as self-perceived risk of osteoporosis and fracture has on antiosteoporosis behaviour such as (1) calcium and vitamin D supplementation, (2) seeking medical advice, (3) undergoing bone mineral (BMD) testing, and (4) taking antiosteoporosis medication (AOM)
Summary
Osteoporosis is characterised by the reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) and the deterioration in bone architecture. Bone becomes fragile and is at increased risk of fracture Osteoporosis affects both genders; is more prevalent in women, following menopause and has been reported to inflict a considerable amount of financial and personal burden. Osteoporosis can inflict considerable affliction on individuals including decreased mobility, decreased quality of life, and increased risk of mortality following an osteoporotic fracture [3,4,5]. Previous studies have found that the lack of awareness of personal risk to osteoporosis resulted from a lack of knowledge about osteoporosis [8,9,10], but more alarmingly, the prevalent belief that osteoporosis is a consequential and unavoidable disease associated with ageing in older women [11]
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