C Jüngst1,2, S Gräber3, S Simons4, H Wedemeyer2,5, F Lammert1,2. 1. Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany. 2. Deutsche Leberstiftung (German Liver Foundation), Essen/Hannover, Germany. 3. Institute of Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany. 4. LINDA AG, Cologne, Germany. 5. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to medication leads to worsening of the disease, increased mortality and substantial rise in health care costs. AIM: It was our aim to evaluate drug adherence and influencing factors in a cohort of non-selected adult pharmacy customers with various chronic diseases and following long-term treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an 8 week anonymized survey in 152 German pharmacies using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale to measure medication adherence and a questionnaire comprising questions on multiple factors with potential impact on adherence. Depression was assessed applying the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: In total, 1192 patients were included showing an overall adherence rate of 59.1%. A positive association to drug adherence was found in univariate analysis for non-smoking status, retirement, less disease related complaints, positive belief in drug effects, comprehensive knowledge about the disease and high quality of care by the physician and pharmacist. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that no or minimal depression (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-3.0), higher patient age (>63 years) (OR 2.2, CI 1.7-2.8), high perceived importance of the medication (OR 2.0, CI 1.5-2.6), good tolerability of the medication (OR 2.0, CI 1.2-3.5) and drug effect as expected or better (OR 1.6, CI 1.1-2.3) were positively correlated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal adherence to medication is common in pharmacy customers with chronic diseases. The determined factors influencing adherence may help to identify patients at risk for nonadherence and support the need of improvement in physicians' communication with patients to achieve adequate adherence rates.
BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to medication leads to worsening of the disease, increased mortality and substantial rise in health care costs. AIM: It was our aim to evaluate drug adherence and influencing factors in a cohort of non-selected adult pharmacy customers with various chronic diseases and following long-term treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an 8 week anonymized survey in 152 German pharmacies using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale to measure medication adherence and a questionnaire comprising questions on multiple factors with potential impact on adherence. Depression was assessed applying the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: In total, 1192 patients were included showing an overall adherence rate of 59.1%. A positive association to drug adherence was found in univariate analysis for non-smoking status, retirement, less disease related complaints, positive belief in drug effects, comprehensive knowledge about the disease and high quality of care by the physician and pharmacist. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that no or minimal depression (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-3.0), higher patient age (>63 years) (OR 2.2, CI 1.7-2.8), high perceived importance of the medication (OR 2.0, CI 1.5-2.6), good tolerability of the medication (OR 2.0, CI 1.2-3.5) and drug effect as expected or better (OR 1.6, CI 1.1-2.3) were positively correlated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal adherence to medication is common in pharmacy customers with chronic diseases. The determined factors influencing adherence may help to identify patients at risk for nonadherence and support the need of improvement in physicians' communication with patients to achieve adequate adherence rates.
Authors: Giovanni Simeone; Marcello Bergamini; Maria Carmen Verga; Barbara Cuomo; Giuseppe D'Antonio; Iride Dello Iacono; Dora Di Mauro; Francesco Di Mauro; Giuseppe Di Mauro; Lucia Leonardi; Vito Leonardo Miniello; Filomena Palma; Immacolata Scotese; Giovanna Tezza; Andrea Vania; Margherita Caroli Journal: Nutrients Date: 2022-08-31 Impact factor: 6.706
Authors: Linda Hartman; Maurizio Cutolo; Reinhard Bos; Daniela Opris-Belinski; Marc R Kok; Hanneke J R M Griep-Wentink; Ruth Klaasen; Cornelia F Allaart; George A W Bruyn; Hennie G Raterman; Marieke J H Voshaar; Nuno Gomes; Rui M A Pinto; L Thomas Klausch; Willem F Lems; M Boers Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2021-11-03 Impact factor: 7.580