Iolascon G, Capaldo A, Orlando V, Menditto E. Persistence with antiosteoporotic drugs: a retrospective population-based color study

The study of adherence to therapy is a field of study of particular relevant today. In chronic conditions, the adherence to therapy is never greater than 50% Which leads to an increase in both morbidity and mortality. The use of administrative databases represents an excellent tool for indirect measurement of levels of persistence to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy. Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability with high costs to the health service. Persistence to drug therapy of less than 6 months has absolutely no benefit to the patient. The analysis performed in Campania region by using retrospective health administrative databases confirms inadeguate persistence of therapy: about 70% of patients interrupt treatment at 6 months and only 14% are persistent after 1 year. Moreover, half of incident users are spot therapy. The greatest factor which influences persistence is the complexity of administration: Ibandronate and Risedronate which are taken monthly are the most compliant.