Patient Perceptions, Beliefs, and Behaviors in Bone-Related Disease and Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine methods of pharmacologic and nonpharmacological pain management for people with bone-related diseases.

Methods
Bone-related disease incidence, treatment, and pain management strategies were assessed using an anonymous online survey in 2021. The survey included questions about demographics, disease characteristics, and pain coping. One-sample χ2 goodness of fit tests, 2-way Pearson χ2 tests of independence, and probability values were used for data analysis.

Results
Respondents were primarily postmenopausal females, aged 55-60 years old, with moderate disease activity, with osteoporosis most commonly reported. Responses suggest medical professionals’ advice for pain management included multiple medications, especially analgesics. Dietary interventions also played an important role with vitamin D and calcium supplementation regularly being reported. Patients seek to use alternative methods of pain relief and disease management, with many respondents reporting nonpharmacological pain relief treatments playing a significant role in coping with their bone disease. Although respondents aged 46 to 50 opted against nonpharmacological relief, those aged 56 to 60 years reported they were willing to try nonpharmacological interventions that reduced pain, with the choice of treatment based on “how it made me feel.”

Conclusion
A substantial number of respondents believed that more research is required into pain relief for bone-related diseases, with those affected by these conditions seeking a more acute and analgesic approach to managing pain. Most respondents answered “yes” when asked if nonpharmacological pain relief treatments play a sufficient role in coping with their bone-related pain.