José L Molinuevo1, Francisco J Arranz. 1. Unidad de Alzheimer y otros trastornos cognitivos, Institut Clínic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Universitari, Barcelona, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The potential benefits of the therapy for patients with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease depends largely on adherence to the treatment. The main objective of this study was to assess which of the strategies used by physicians in clinical practice were effective in improving adherence in noncompliant patients with Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological, multicenter, observational, prospective, study in non-compliant patients with diagnosis of ATD with a baseline assessment and two follow-up visits at three and at six months. The primary outcome was treatment adherence in the last month. Patients who had missed more than 20% of the prescribed doses or who had failed to have the doses in the time, dose or dosage form prescribed by the physician in more than 20% of the cases were considered as non-compliant. RESULTS: The first cause of non-adherence was forgetfulness, followed by the caregiver burden. Overall, the use of one or more strategies to improve adherence was effective. The percentage of non-adherent patients was reduced to 26% at three months and up to 14% at six months. CONCLUSION: The modification of treatment for Alzheimer's disease psychoeducation are effective interventions to reduce treatment failure in patients with ATD.
INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The potential benefits of the therapy for patients with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease depends largely on adherence to the treatment. The main objective of this study was to assess which of the strategies used by physicians in clinical practice were effective in improving adherence in noncompliant patients with Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological, multicenter, observational, prospective, study in non-compliant patients with diagnosis of ATD with a baseline assessment and two follow-up visits at three and at six months. The primary outcome was treatment adherence in the last month. Patients who had missed more than 20% of the prescribed doses or who had failed to have the doses in the time, dose or dosage form prescribed by the physician in more than 20% of the cases were considered as non-compliant. RESULTS: The first cause of non-adherence was forgetfulness, followed by the caregiver burden. Overall, the use of one or more strategies to improve adherence was effective. The percentage of non-adherent patients was reduced to 26% at three months and up to 14% at six months. CONCLUSION: The modification of treatment for Alzheimer's disease psychoeducation are effective interventions to reduce treatment failure in patients with ATD.
Authors: Ramesh Boinpally; Laishun Chen; Stephen R Zukin; Natalie McClure; Robert K Hofbauer; Antonia Periclou Journal: Clin Drug Investig Date: 2015-07 Impact factor: 2.859