OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of nonadherence to treatment for glaucoma among elderly patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 2440 patients older than age 65 who were enrolled in the New Jersey Medicaid Program and who were newly initiated on a topical agent for the treatment of glaucoma. Two patient-specific measures of nonadherence were employed: (1) no filled prescription for any glaucoma medication over a 12-month period after the initiation of therapy and (2) number of days without therapy for glaucoma during this 12-month period. RESULTS: By the first measure, 569 patients (23%) were found to be nonadherent. The mean number of days without therapy during the study year was 112. Factors associated with nonadherence included the use of glaucoma medication requiring more than 2 administrations per day and the presence of multiple other medications in the patient's drug regimen. Patients started on multiple glaucoma medication were more adherent than those started on a single agent. Age and sex were not found to be predictors of nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial nonadherence was found to be common in this population. More attention to the issue of nonadherence could result in important benefits in the preservation of sight.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of nonadherence to treatment for glaucoma among elderly patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 2440 patients older than age 65 who were enrolled in the New Jersey Medicaid Program and who were newly initiated on a topical agent for the treatment of glaucoma. Two patient-specific measures of nonadherence were employed: (1) no filled prescription for any glaucoma medication over a 12-month period after the initiation of therapy and (2) number of days without therapy for glaucoma during this 12-month period. RESULTS: By the first measure, 569 patients (23%) were found to be nonadherent. The mean number of days without therapy during the study year was 112. Factors associated with nonadherence included the use of glaucoma medication requiring more than 2 administrations per day and the presence of multiple other medications in the patient's drug regimen. Patients started on multiple glaucoma medication were more adherent than those started on a single agent. Age and sex were not found to be predictors of nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial nonadherence was found to be common in this population. More attention to the issue of nonadherence could result in important benefits in the preservation of sight.
Authors: Catherine Slota; Robyn Sayner; Michelle Vitko; Delesha M Carpenter; Susan J Blalock; Alan L Robin; Kelly W Muir; Mary Elizabeth Hartnett; Betsy Sleath Journal: Optom Vis Sci Date: 2015-05 Impact factor: 1.973
Authors: Paula Anne Newman-Casey; Taylor Blachley; Paul P Lee; Michele Heisler; Karen B Farris; Joshua D Stein Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2015-08-25 Impact factor: 12.079
Authors: Christine M G Olthoff; Juliette G M M Hoevenaars; Bart W van den Borne; Carroll A B Webers; Jan S A G Schouten Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2008-09-19 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Alfonso Arias; Konrad Schargel; Fernando Ussa; Maria I Canut; Amelia Y Belén Robles; Belén Martí Sánchez Journal: Clin Ophthalmol Date: 2010-04-26