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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 May;29(5):465-72.
doi: 10.1007/s10067-009-1328-3. Epub 2009 Dec 22.

Patient preference and acceptability of calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation: a randomised, open, cross-over trial

Debby den Uyl  1 , Piet P M M Geusens, Frank N R van Berkum, Harry H M L Houben, Max C Jebbink, Willem F Lems
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Patient preference and acceptability of calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation: a randomised, open, cross-over trial

Debby den Uyl et al. Clin Rheumatol. 2010 May.

Abstract

Preference for a drug formulation is important in adherence to long-term medication for chronic illnesses such as osteoporosis. We investigated the preference for and acceptability of chewable tablet containing calcium and vitamin D (Calci Chew D(3), Nycomed) compared to that of a sachet containing calcium and vitamin D(3) (Cad, Will-Pharma). This open, randomised, cross-over trial was set up to compare the preference and acceptability of two calcium plus vitamin D(3) formulations (both with 500 mg calcium and 400/440 IU vitamin D3), given twice a day in patients with osteoporosis. Preference and acceptability were assessed by means of questionnaires. Preference was determined by asking the question, which treatment the patient preferred, and acceptability was measured by scoring five variables, using rating scales. Of the 102 patients indicating a preference for a trial medication, 67% preferred the chewable tablet, 19% the sachet with calcium and vitamin D(3,) and 15% stated no preference. The significant preference for Calci Chew D(3) (p < 0.0001) was associated with higher scores for all five acceptability variables. The two formulations were tolerated equally well. A significant greater number of patients considered the chewable tablet as preferable and acceptable to the sachet, containing calcium and vitamin D(3).

Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN18822358.

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Conflict of interest statement

This research was sponsored by Nycomed Group AS/Roskilde, Denmark.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preferences (%) of study participants (n = 96). A chewable tablet, Calci Chew D3; B sachet of calcium and vitamin D3 CAD. Single asterisk indicates p < 0.0008 versus sachet with calcium and vitamin D3. Number sign indicates p < 0.0001 versus sachet with calcium and vitamin D3. The “no preference” patients were ignored in the statistical analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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