Poor adherence to oral bisphosphonate treatment and its consequences: a review of the evidence

Poor therapeutic adherence is a major issue faced by physicians today. This paper summarizes the adherence rates with oral bisphosphonate (OBP) treatment in clinical practice and their impact on clinical outcomes. Studies systematically demonstrated that overall compliance and persistence with OBPs among osteoporotic women are poor. Although extending dosing intervals improved adherence, the gains are suboptimal. Most importantly, low compliance and persistence rates consistently resulted in increased rates of fractures. The results emphasize the importance of adherence to treatment to achieve optimal antifracture efficacy. There is an urgent need to implement strategies and to encourage physicians to take measures that increase patients' awareness of the need to use osteoporosis medications as directed in order to benefit from them fully.