Inappropriate use of calcium supplements among patients with low risk for osteoporosis and its association with knowledge on calcium supplements
Calcium supplement use without medical indications may be considered inappropriate as it could cause harms. This study aimed to determine the proportion of individuals with low risk for osteoporosis who used calcium supplements inappropriately. Their practice and factors influencing the use we...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2021
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/18269/1/7_ms0498_pdf_15182.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/18269/ https://medicineandhealthukm.com/toc/16/2 |
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| Summary: | Calcium supplement use without medical indications may be considered
inappropriate as it could cause harms. This study aimed to determine the proportion
of individuals with low risk for osteoporosis who used calcium supplements
inappropriately. Their practice and factors influencing the use were also examined.
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university-based primary care clinic
involving 125 patients, aged 18 to 64 years with low risk for osteoporosis (based
on the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool for Asians, personal or family history of
osteoporosis or hip fracture and diseases of secondary osteoporosis). A validated
self-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants’ characteristics,
knowledge on calcium supplements (KnowCas-12) and its practice. About 46.4%
took calcium supplements within the past one year, whereby many had never
discussed the use with doctors (46.6%). However, only 25.9% were compliant and
almost all (95%) with incorrect consumption. The two commonest reasons for its
use were “to prevent from fracture” (70.7%) and “not enough calcium through my
diet” (56.9%). The median (inter quartile range) KnowCas-12 score was 6.0 (3.0)
(the possible range: 0-12; the mid-point: 6). Multiple logistic regression showed only
KnowCas-12 score had a significant independent association with the use (adjusted
odds ratio: 0.79; 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.98; p=0.031). In conclusion,
the inappropriate use of calcium supplements was common among the low-risk
individuals, but most were non-compliant with incorrect consumption. Their
knowledge of calcium supplements was still lacking. As it could influence the use,
educational interventions should be imparted to ensure correct osteoprotective
behaviour. |
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