Awareness and knowledge levels of osteoporosis in patients with neuromuscular diseases: a multicentre study

Objective: To evaluate the awareness and knowledge level of osteoporosis in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) and to investigate the associated factors. Methods: A total of 48 adult and 60 child patients (74 male, 34 female) were included in the study.The demographic and socioeconomic status of all patients were recorded. Functional levels were determined by functional ambulation classification using the Vignos and Brooke scales. The awareness of the participants was questioned and the knowledge level of osteoporosis was assessed using a questionnaire. Results: The median age of the patients was 15 (range, 1.5-76) years and the duration of illness was 4.5 (range, 0-55) years. Some 30.6% of the patients were Vignos level 4 and above and 89.8% of the patients were Brooke level 3 and below. The percentage of non-ambulatory patients was 18.9% and independent ambulators was 30.6%. Awareness of osteoporosis in parents and adult patients was 93.3% and 97.9%, respectively. However, the osteoporosis knowledge level of the subjects was 13 (range, 0-25) points. Conclusion: Although there is a high awareness of osteoporosis in patients with NMDs, the knowledge level of osteoporosis is very low in this population.