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. 2024 Dec 17;16(12):e75901.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.75901. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Osteoporosis Knowledge and Awareness Among Patients and Accompanying Attendants: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department

Arvind K Sharma  1 , Satyasheel S Asthana  1 , Ivanah P Nongrum  1
Affiliations

Osteoporosis Knowledge and Awareness Among Patients and Accompanying Attendants: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department

Arvind K Sharma et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common yet underdiagnosed condition that increases fracture risk and disability. It is particularly prevalent in individuals with musculoskeletal and neurological disorders due to factors like immobility and disuse. Despite its impact, awareness of osteoporosis remains low, especially in this high-risk population. This study aims to assess the knowledge of osteoporosis among patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders attending a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient department (OPD). Using tools like the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool- Hindi (OKAT-H), the study seeks to identify knowledge gaps and promote prevention and early detection.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 300 participants, including patients and accompanying attendants, who visited the OPD of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, aged 40 years and above. The sample size was calculated based on data from a previous study, resulting in a target of 292 participants. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Modified Kuppuswamy scale, classifying participants into five classes. Osteoporosis awareness was measured using the OKAT-H.

Results: The mean OKAT-H score was found to be 9.82 out of 20 (49.1%), with a standard deviation of 5.06, ranging from a minimum score of 2/20 to a maximum of 20/20. Significant differences in OKAT-H scores were found in rural and urban populations (P value=0.001) and among the classes of socioeconomic status (P value=0.001) of the participants based on the Modified Kuppuswamy scale.

Conclusion: Our study using the OKAT-H scale revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding osteoporosis among individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as their caregivers. This lack of awareness increases the risk of fractures and related complications. To address this, targeted educational programs should be implemented in the OPD of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation departments, focusing on improving knowledge of osteoporosis, raising awareness of its risks and prevention, and educating individuals on fall prevention measures, the use of mobility and orthotic aids, and necessary home and workplace modifications.

Keywords: bone mineral density (bmd); fall prevention; fracture; musculoskeletal rehabilitation; neurorehabilitation; osteoporosis; osteoporosis knowledge and awareness; physical medicine and rehabilitation (pm&r); spinal cord injury (sci); stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raebareli issued approval F.3A/BIOETHICS/AIIMS-RBL/APPR/IMP/2024-8/11. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Graphical representation of the responses of the participants to the OKAT-H questionnaire with the percentage of correct and incorrect responses.
OKAT-H: Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool-Hindi Q1 to Q20: Questions of OKAT-H questionnaire (listed out in Table 7)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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