Factors affecting medication adherence among patients with rheumatic disorders

Abstract

Background and objective: Patient's adherence is an important factor affecting the successful maintenance of treatment, slow progression of the disease; reduce costs of health care especially in the presence of multiple chronic conditions as rheumatic disorders. While, medication non-adherence is a significant problem leads to increased mortality and morbidity. So, identification of the factors affecting non-adherence to medication regimens is beneficial for healthcare providers to improve patient's health condition. The aim of the study was to determine factors affecting medication adherence among sample of Egyptian patients with rheumatic disorders.Methods: Design: An exploratory descriptive research design. Subjects: Purposive sampling of patients with history of rheumatic disorders. Setting: The study was carried out in rheumatology department and medical wards at Al-Kaser Al-Aini hospital. Tool: Patient Preliminary Informational Variables, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-Items and Factors affecting drug adherence checklist were used to collect pertinent data.Results: The study showed 59.2% of study group had low adherence, followed by medium adherence and high adherence (28%, 12.7%) to prescribed medications respectively. Findings also; revealed that the highest percent of these factors that may combine to render patients to be less able to adhere to prescribed medication ranked as complexity of medication regimen; chronic conditions, restricted formularies, changing medications covered on formularies; fear of possible adverse effects, fear of dependence; lack of continuity of care, treatment interferes with lifestyle or requires significant behavioral changes; patient information materials written at too high literacy level; severity of symptoms; lack of knowledge on adherence and the effective interventions for improving it; as well the medication cost; long wait times; burdensome schedule; poor access or missed appointments; actual or perceived unpleasant side effects; duration of therapy; medication negative effect on liver and kidney; in addition, psychosocial stress, anxiety and anger.Conclusions: Due to the diversity of causes of non-adherence, the health care professionals must understand factors affecting medication adherence when dealing with problems of medication adherence especially with chronic conditions as rheumatic disorders. Recommendation: Interventions for overcoming factors affecting adherence must become a central component of efforts to improve patients' health worldwide. This could be done by proper determination for factors affecting medication adherence, also to consider patient condition individually and modify the treatment approach accordingly.

Interrupted time series analysis on first cardiovascular disease hospitalization for adherence to lipid‐lowering therapy

“…However, non‐adherence to medication is a threat to improving healthcare outcomes leading to unnecessary hospitalization and mortality . The term medication adherence in this context indicates a patient takes medication regularly as directed by a prescriber …”

A Medication Template for Patients with Chronic Medical Conditions to Promote Medication Adherence

“…Findings from the literature review revealed that approximately 50% of patients do not take medications as prescribed, which is associated with poorer outcomes, relapse, increased mortality, and hospital admissions (O'Malley, 2013). The reason behind this non adherence is the lack of continuity of care, patient information materials written at too high literacy level, lack of knowledge on adherence, and the medication cost are few of the many reasons that contribute to non adherence (Ismail, Selim, & Elkhashab, 2017).…”

“…With the exception of classical works, the search is limited to the years 2013 to 2018 to ensure that current evidencebased literature was reviewed and summarized for the purpose of this project. A summary of the review of the literature is presented.Reason for Non Compliance to MedicationsAccording toIsmail, Selim, & Elkhashab (2017), lack of continuity of care, patient information materials written at too high literacy level, lack of knowledge on adherence, and the medication cost are few of the many reasons that contribute to non adherence Khan, Shah, & Hameed (2014). considers side-effects and forgetfulness as the main barriers to low medication adherence.…”

Effect of patient's compliance with nursing instructions on minimizing hepatic encephalopathy

“…The content of this part was developed by the researcher after passing through an extensive and relevant literature review to assess patient's compliance with nursing instructions as (dietary instructions and early detection and avoidance of precipitating factors). It included (20) questions with a yes or no response. Every question was given one score, a score of zero was given for a negative response while a score of one was given for a positive response (Yes= 1; No= 0).The total scores was (20) score.…”