[Evaluation of adherence to treatment with calcium and vitamin D in the elderly in a basic health area].
ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015;
31:10-7. [PMID:
26476876 DOI:
10.1016/j.cali.2015.06.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The vitamin D deficiency is high in the elderly population. Calcium and vitamin D supplements is a frequently used measure in individuals at risk for falls and/or fractures. However, this practice has achieved a low level of compliance. The aim is to assess the adherence to treatment with calcium and vitamin D in elders with hypovitaminosis D in an urban area of Madrid.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Intervention study performed on 438 individuals ≥65years from the 'Peñagrande Cohort' with hypovitaminosis D that were treated with calcium and vitamin D. Adherence at 3 and 12 months was assessed using the Morisky-Green and counting of prescriptions written.
RESULTS
A total of 413 of the 438 individuals with hypovitaminosis D were analysed (18 patients were not treated because of contraindications, and 7 were considered lost). At 3 and 12 months, 63.9% and 47.2%, respectively, were adherents. After a brief educational intervention, 19.3% of individuals without adherence at 3 months became good compliers when measured at one year. Comorbidity was associated with lower rates of adherence to treatment after one year (46.3% versus 35.2%, P=.027). The main cause of non-adherence to calcium was digestive intolerance, and due to oversights for vitamin D. Concordance between adherence assessed by the Morisky test and counting of prescriptions written was high (Kappa index=69.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
Non-adherence to chronic treatment with calcium and vitamin D is a relevant problem in elderly. It is important to assess adherence and implement health education strategies in clinical practice.
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