In a recent survey, published in Journal of Rheumatology, of 67 adults, who were mean of 78 years old, at risk for hip fracture due to the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis, the majority stated a preference for taking a bone-building pill over wearing an external hip protector.
However, as the survey’s authors point out, a limitation of the survey was that more than half of those surveyed (57 percent) were currently taking a so-called bisphosphonate (like Boniva) and none had ever heard of a hip protector.
Preference for hip protectors was stronger among participants not currently using a bisphosphonate (36 percent vs 19 percent) and among those favoring non-drug ways to address health problems (44 percent vs 12 percent).
“Participants were more strongly influenced by the type of treatment than expected benefits, and when given a choice most preferred taking a pill over wearing a hip protector.”
The current survey suggests that hip protectors, as currently manufactured, are unlikely to be a widely accepted treatment option among community-dwelling older adults,” Fraenkel and colleagues conclude.
Future trials and education programs, they add, should consider targeting respondents who prefer to manage health problems without drugs since, “based on the results of this study, adherence and proper use of hip protectors would be expected to be higher among these patients.”