Osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and healthy bone behaviours in patients on androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess knowledge, self-efficacy, and health beliefs about osteoporosis and engagement in healthy bone behaviors (including calcium intake) among prostate cancer patients receiving androgen-deprivation therapy.
Results Summary
The study found that 15% of patients were at risk of over-supplementation of calcium, indicating potential misuse. Patients taking calcium supplements had significantly greater knowledge about bone health than those who did not.
Population
Prostate cancer patients receiving androgen-deprivation therapy by injection (n=175).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
dual X-ray absorptiometry scan | no change | osteoporosis screening | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 38% | had undergone | #1 |
- | no change | osteoporosis knowledge | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | mean 9.6 (sd 4.4, range 0-19) | was low | #2 |
- | no change | perceived self-efficacy | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 84.7 (24.5, 0-120) | was moderate | #3 |
- | no change | health motivation | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 23.6 (3.1, 6-30) | was fairly high | #4 |
- | no change | perceived susceptibility and seriousness of osteoporosis | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 16.8 (4.3) and 16.8 (4.2) | were low | #5 |
vitamin D intake | no change | vitamin D intake | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 42% | met the recommendations | #6 |
exercise | no change | exercise | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 31% | met the recommendations | #7 |
calcium supplements | increase | calcium intake | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | 15% | were at risk of over-supplementation | #8 |
calcium supplements | increase | osteoporosis knowledge | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | P = 0.04 | had significantly greater knowledge | #9 |
vitamin D intake | increase | osteoporosis knowledge | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | P = 0.008 | had significantly greater knowledge | #10 |
exercise | increase | osteoporosis knowledge | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy | P = 0.002 | had significantly greater knowledge | #11 |
healthy bone behaviours | decrease | osteoporosis knowledge | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy engaging in less than four of five HBBs | P < 0.001 | had lower knowledge | #12 |
healthy bone behaviours | decrease | health motivation | patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy engaging in less than four of five HBBs | P = 0.01 | had lower health motivation | #13 |
OBJECTIVES: To describe in patients with prostate cancer, receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT): (i) knowledge, self-efficacy (SE), and health beliefs about osteoporosis (OP); (ii) current engagement in healthy bone behaviours (HBBs). To explore the relationships between knowledge, SE, and health beliefs, and engagement in HBBs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 175 patients receiving ADT by injection completed questionnaires assessing current HBBs, OP knowledge, SE, and health beliefs (motivation, perceived susceptibility, and seriousness). Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used to assess relationships between knowledge, SE, health beliefs, and engagement in HBBs. RESULTS: Only 38% of patients had undergone a dual X-ray absorptiometry scan in the past 2 years. OP knowledge was low (mean [sd, range] 9.6 [4.4, 0-19]) and perceived SE moderate (84.7 [24.5, 0-120]). Health motivation was fairly high (23.6 [3.1, 6-30]), but perceived susceptibility (16.8 [4.3]) and seriousness (16.8 [4.2]) of OP were low. Few patients met the recommendations for vitamin D intake (42%) and exercise (31%), and 15% were at risk of over-supplementation of calcium. Patients taking calcium supplements (P = 0.04), and meeting guidelines for vitamin D (P = 0.008) and for exercise (P = 0.002) had significantly greater knowledge than those who did not. Patients who were engaging in less than four of five HBBs had lower knowledge (P < 0.001) and health motivation (P = 0.01) than those who were engaging in four or all five HBBs. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who are receiving ADT are not receiving appropriate screening, lack basic information about bone health, and are not engaging in the appropriate HBBs. These findings support the application of the Health Belief Model in this population: interventions that teach patients about the implications of bone loss, encourage proper uptake of HBBs, and promote feelings of SE could increase engagement in HBBs to prevent and manage bone loss.