Inappropriate Use of Calcium Supplements among Patients with Low Risk for Osteoporosis and its Association with Knowledge on Calcium Supplements
Calcium Supplements among Low Risk Patients
Abstract
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.
Keywords :
calcium,
dietary supplements,
osteoporosis,
Risk,
Risk reduction behaviour,
Abstrak
Penggunaan kalsium tambahan tanpa indikasi perubatan boleh dianggap tidak patut kerana ia menyebabkan kemudaratan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan peratusan individu berisiko rendah menghidapi osteoporosis yang menggunakan kalsium tambahan dengan tidak sepatutnya. Amalan dan faktor pengaruh penggunaannya juga dikaji. Kajian keratan lintang ini telah dijalankan di sebuah klinik primer universiti yang melibatkan 125 pesakit berumur 18 sehingga 64 tahun, berisiko rendah menghidapi osteoporosis (berdasarkan ‘Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool for Asians’, tiada sejarah peribadi atau keluarga menghidap osteoporosis atau patah tulang pinggul dan tiada penyakit sekunder osteoporosis). Kajian ini menggunakan borang soal selidik yang telah disahkan untuk memeriksa ciri-ciri peserta, pengetahuan mengenai kalsium tambahan (KnowCas-12) dan amalan pengambilan mereka. Seramai 46.4% mengambil kalsium tambahan dalam setahun lalu, di mana majoriti tidak pernah berbincang dengan doktor mengenainya (46.6%). Namun, hanya 25.9% peserta mengambilnya dengan patuh dan hampir semua (95%) tidak menggunakannya secara betul. Dua sebab utama pengambilan kalsium tambahan adalah “untuk mencegah patah” (70.7%) dan “tidak cukup kalsium dalam diet” (56.9%). Median (julat antara kuartil) skor KnowCas-12 adalah 6.0 (3.0) (julat mungkin: 0-12; titik-tengah: 6). Regresi logistik berbilang menunjukkan hanya skor KnowCas-12 mempunyai kaitan sendirian yang bererti dengan pengunaan kalsium tambahan (nisbah ganjil selaras: 0.79; 95% sela keyakinan: 0.64-0.98; p=0.031). Kesimpulannya, pengunaan kalsium tambahan yang tidak patut adalah amalan biasa dalam kalangan individu berisiko rendah, tetapi ramai tidak patuh mengambilnya dan tidak mengunakannya secara betul. Pengetahuan mereka mengenai kalsium tambahan masih kurang. Oleh kerana pengetahuan ini boleh menentukan penggunaanya, intervensi pendidikan perlu diberikan bagi memastikan kelakuan perlindungan osteoporosis yang betul.
Kata Kunci :
Kalsium,
kelakuan pengurangan risiko,
osteoporosis,
pemakanan tambahan,
risiko,
Correspondance Address
Associate Professor Dr Hizlinda Tohid. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +6019-2222109 Email: hizlinda2202@gmail.com
