Sharma Arvind K, Asthana Satyasheel S, Nongrum Ivanah P
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli, Raebareli, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Dec 17;16(12):e75901. doi: 10.7759/cureus.75901. eCollection 2024 Dec.
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.
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.
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.
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.
骨质疏松症是一种常见但诊断不足的病症，会增加骨折风险和致残率。由于行动不便和废用等因素，它在患有肌肉骨骼和神经系统疾病的个体中尤为普遍。尽管其影响较大，但对骨质疏松症的认知度仍然很低，尤其是在这个高危人群中。本研究旨在评估在物理医学与康复门诊就诊的神经和肌肉骨骼疾病患者对骨质疏松症的了解情况。该研究使用骨质疏松症知识评估工具 - 印地语版（OKAT-H）等工具，旨在找出知识差距并促进预防和早期检测。
进行了一项横断面研究，涉及300名参与者，包括患者及其陪同人员，他们前往物理医学与康复门诊就诊，年龄在40岁及以上。样本量是根据先前一项研究的数据计算得出的，目标是292名参与者。使用改良的库普苏瓦米量表评估社会经济地位，将参与者分为五个等级。使用OKAT-H测量骨质疏松症认知度。
OKAT-H的平均得分在20分中为9.82分（49.1%），标准差为5.06，最低分为2/20，最高分为20/20。根据改良的库普苏瓦米量表，在农村和城市人口中（P值 = 0.001）以及参与者的社会经济地位等级之间（P值 = 0.001），OKAT-H得分存在显著差异。
我们使用OKAT-H量表的研究表明，神经和肌肉骨骼疾病患者及其护理人员对骨质疏松症存在显著的知识差距。这种认知不足增加了骨折及相关并发症的风险。为解决这一问题，应在物理医学与康复科门诊实施针对性的教育项目，重点是提高对骨质疏松症的认识、增强对其风险和预防的意识，并教育个人采取预防跌倒措施、使用移动辅助器具和矫形辅助器具，以及对家庭和工作场所进行必要的改造。
