Channeling and adherence with alendronate and risedronate among chronic glucocorticoid users
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Quantitative Health SciencesDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2006-05-26Keywords
AdultAged
Alendronate
Bone Density Conservation Agents
Etidronic Acid
Female
Glucocorticoids
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis
*Patient Compliance
Proportional Hazards Models
Bioinformatics
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services Research
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite the efficacy of bisphosphonates to reduce fractures in high risk populations, bisphosphonate adherence among chronic glucocorticoid users has received limited attention. Moreover, perceived differences in GI tolerability may lead physicians to preferentially prescribe particular bisphosphonates. METHODS: Among chronic glucocorticoid users (>60 days of therapy) enrolled in managed care, we identified individuals initiating therapy with alendronate or risedronate during 2001-2004. Multivariable logistic regression and proportional hazards models were used to examine factors associated with channeling patients to risedronate (versus alendronate) and with discontinuation (>3-month gap without refill). The Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) was calculated as the filled days of medication divided by the interval of time between prescriptions. RESULTS: Of 1,158 glucocorticoid users initiating bisphosphonate therapy, demographic characteristics of alendronate users (n=754) and risedronate users (n=404) were similar for age (mean 53 years) and gender (approximately 80% female). Past history of a GI symptom or event was associated with risedronate receipt (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.15-4.35). After multivariable adjustment, rates of discontinuation (mean time to discontinuation approximately 18 months) and adherence (mean MPR=73%) were similar between users of the two bisphosphonates. Younger age, greater medical comorbidity, and lack of BMD testing were significantly associated with discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall persistence rates were suboptimal for bisphosphonate use among chronic glucocorticoids users and did not differ significantly by drug. Newer strategies to promote long-term adherence are needed to improve osteoporosis therapeutic effectiveness.Source
Osteoporos Int. 2006;17(8):1268-74. Epub 2006 May 19. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1007/s00198-006-0136-8Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/47680PubMed ID
16724286Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/s00198-006-0136-8