Challenge
Osteoporosis is considered a public health challenge in Greece due to its associated high burden. Postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis in Greece carry a substantial burden in terms of quality of life, disability and out-of-pocket costs, yet their experiences and treatment-related preferences have not been systematically captured to inform healthcare decisions.
Ambition
This study aimed to explore the self-reported, disease-related physical, emotional, and financial burden for postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis, and understand their preferences for treatment attributes. The goal was to generate patient-centered evidence and guide decisions on the optimal management of severe osteoporosis in Greece.
Action
An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and July 2021 among 186 postmenopausal women with self-reported severe osteoporosis, defined as having at least one osteoporotic fracture and a T-score ≤ -2.5. Participants reported on health status, quality of life, physical, emotional, and financial burden of osteoporosis, experiences with current disease management, and preferences for key attributes of anabolic therapies for osteoporosis (efficacy, safety, mode, and frequency of administration).
Results
Most participants reported ongoing pain/discomfort, mobility difficulties, and mental health distress linked to their osteoporosis. Additionally, participants valued treatment efficacy, measured through reduction in the probability of future fractures and increase in bone density, and safety as key treatment attributes. Overall:
Impact
This is the first study in Greece to quantify the quality of life and disease-related burden of severe osteoporosis from the patient perspective, while clarifying treatment priorities for postmenopausal women living with the disease. By bringing these preferences into focus, these findings provide a practical evidence base that may help to inform future treatment protocols and prescription guidelines and further optimize osteoporosis treatment outcomes.
