Meaning and considerations about osteoporosis by women with and without diagnosis of the disease

Abstract

Introduction: Among patients diagnosed and under treatment for osteoporosis, it is believed that there is general ignorance about the disease. Among undiagnosed patients at risk, it is believed that the lack of knowledge is larger. Objective: To evaluate the considerations of women about the concept of osteoporosis and its prevention. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was carried out at Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with 10 patients with osteoporosis and 10 patients without the disease. Data tabulation occurred using three methodological figures: central idea, key expressions and collective subject discourse. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics and Research with Human Beings. Results: Among the diagnosed patients, the central ideas were vulnerability to fractures and the concepts of disease presentation like osteopenia and osteoporosis. In the undiagnosed group, 40% were unaware of the disease. About prevention, greater knowledge was observed in the group with the disease, with the main ideas being highlighted: physical exercises, calcium and vitamin D rich food, as well as sun exposure. Conclusion: There was limited knowledge about osteoporosis and its prevention, especially in the group without diagnosis, but in the age group at risk. Thus, it is concluded that, in the case of a disease of high prevalence, of high budgetary costs for public health, and with significant risks once it is undiagnosed and untreated, resolute measures of greater clarity about the disease should be practiced in all spheres of public health.