Osteoporosis Prevention Among People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Oral Glucocorticoid Therapy

Therapy with oral glucocorticoids often plays an important role in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Ad Hoc Committee on Clinical Guidelines recently concluded that glucocorticoids are highly effective in relieving symptoms among people with active RA and that these medications may retard the rate of joint damage. Despite these obvious benefits, therapy with oral glucocorticoids is a well-established risk factor for osteoporosis, as highlighted by the recently published ACR Guidelines on the Prevention of Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis. The ultimate objective of the proposed research is to improve the health-related quality of life of individuals with RA by reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis secondary to glucocorticoid therapy. The study has four specific aims: (1) to obtain descriptive information concerning patients' knowledge, beliefs and behaviors with respect to osteoporosis and osteoporosis prevention; (2) to identify factors that discriminate among patients in different stages of change with respect to each behavior of interest; (3) to compare the effects of tailored versus generic educational materials on patient adherence to the ACR Guidelines for the Prevention Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis; and (4) to determine if the effects of tailored educational materials is enhanced by concurrent feedback of information concerning patients' behavioral risk factor status to their physicians. A sample of 273 patients with RA currently taking an oral glucocorticoid were recruited to participate in the study. Data were collected via mailed questionnaires and telephone interviews. The study used an experimental research design. Following baseline data collection, participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups. Patients in one group received standard care only. Patients in the second group received generic educational materials about osteoporosis and osteoporosis prevention in addition to standard care. Patients in the third group received educational materials tailored to their stage in the behavior change process in addition to standard care. Finally, patients in the fourth group received the same tailored educational materials and care received by patients in the third group. In addition, each patient's physician received feedback concerning the patient's status with respect to behavioral risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., inadequate calcium intake). Follow-up data were collected one year after baseline data collection. Variables assessed included: (1) behavior, (2) stage of change, (3) knowledge and counseling received concerning osteoporosis, (4) health beliefs, (5) physical health status, (6) osteoporosis risk factors, (7) background characteristics, and (8) information seeking. To accomplish the specific aims of the study, data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, and discriminant analyses.