Giancarlo Cicolini1, Dania Comparcini2, Maria Elena Flacco3, Lorenzo Capasso3, Carlo Masucci4, Valentina Simonetti5. 1. Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; ASL02Abruzzo, "Health Professionals Service", Chieti, Via Dei Martiri Lancianesi 17/19, 66100 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: g.cicolini@unich.it. 2. Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: dania.comparcini@unich.it. 3. Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. 4. ASL Salerno, "Physical Therapy Unit", Salerno, Via Nizza 146, 84124 Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: carlo.new@libero.it. 5. Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: v.simonetti@unich.it.
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the association between adherence to treatment and beliefs about medications in multi-treated elderly patients. BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence documented the importance of adherence to therapy in predicting clinical outcomes, and the association between adherence and medication beliefs in patients of various ages and with different health conditions. However, so far only a few studies have specifically investigated the associations between medication beliefs and adherence among elderly in polypharmacy. METHODS: In this multicenter cross-sectional study we used the MMAS-8 and BMQ Scales to assess medication adherence and beliefs about medications, respectively. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 567 patients. Patients reporting higher levels of necessity or concerns about their medicines showed higher adherence (OR: 1.61, and 2.02, respectively; both p<.001). Accepting patients (high necessity and low concerns) were less likely (OR: 0.24; p<.001) to report adherence than ambivalent ones (high necessity and concerns). CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence is related to high necessity and concern about treatment. In nursing practice it is important to understand the specific barriers to adherence and to engage patients in the implementation of strategies to improve adherence.
AIM: To evaluate the association between adherence to treatment and beliefs about medications in multi-treated elderly patients. BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence documented the importance of adherence to therapy in predicting clinical outcomes, and the association between adherence and medication beliefs in patients of various ages and with different health conditions. However, so far only a few studies have specifically investigated the associations between medication beliefs and adherence among elderly in polypharmacy. METHODS: In this multicenter cross-sectional study we used the MMAS-8 and BMQ Scales to assess medication adherence and beliefs about medications, respectively. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 567 patients. Patients reporting higher levels of necessity or concerns about their medicines showed higher adherence (OR: 1.61, and 2.02, respectively; both p<.001). Accepting patients (high necessity and low concerns) were less likely (OR: 0.24; p<.001) to report adherence than ambivalent ones (high necessity and concerns). CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence is related to high necessity and concern about treatment. In nursing practice it is important to understand the specific barriers to adherence and to engage patients in the implementation of strategies to improve adherence.
Authors: Louise Foley; James Larkin; Richard Lombard-Vance; Andrew W Murphy; Lisa Hynes; Emer Galvin; Gerard J Molloy Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-09-02 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Emanuela Machado Silva Saraiva; José Leonardo Gomes Coelho; Francisco Winter Dos Santos Figueiredo; Ricardo Peres do Souto Journal: J Diabetes Metab Disord Date: 2020-08-13