Medication Adherence Among Geriatric Patients with Chronic Diseases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Medication non-adherence is a common and significant public health problem, especially among the geriatric population. This study's objective was to measure medication adherence and associated factors among geriatric patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeted outpatient geriatrics who suffer from chronic diseases at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Telephone interviews were utilized to collect data from participants using a structured questionnaire and the GMAS validated instrument scale (General Medication Adherence Scale) intended to measure important determinants impacting adherence: patient behaviour, cost, comorbidity, and pill burden. Results: A total of 422 patients were assessed for medication adherence. The Mean overall score for GMAS was 29.9±3.1 out of 33. (64.9%) of the patients had a high level of medication adherence. The patients had a high adherence on the domain of patient behavior related non-adherence (PBNA) (13.5±1.9) out of 15, a high adherence on the domain of additional disease and pill burden (ADPB) (11.2±1.4) out of 12, and good to high adherence on the cost-related non-adherence (CRNA) (5.25±1.1) out of 6. Conclusion:The geriatric population with chronic diseases in our study had a good level of adherence to medication if compared with other international figures. To promote better medication adherence, patients must have a good understanding of their disease and strong beliefs about the medications prescribed.

Barriers to Medication Adherence Among Patients with Non-Communicable Disease in North Wollo Zone Public Hospitals: Socio-Ecologic Perspective, 2023

“…65 A study conducted in Saudi Arabia found a strong link between the degree of adherence and family assistance with medicine administration. 66 Family support is helpful for both drug adherence and treatment. 67 Stronger levels of social support and improved patient–physician relationships were associated with stronger medication adherence.…”

Patterns in counselling services provided at Saudi Ministry of Health medication counselling clinics – Reasons for referrals and subjects discussed: A cross-sectional study

“…In the chronic disease population, our study found that the mean of the number of reasons for referral to counselling was significantly higher than the corresponding number in the non-chronic population (2.97 ± 1.56 vs. 1.45 ± 1.07). It is recognised that patients with chronic diseases are at high risk of multiple morbidity, which leads to high prevalence of polypharmacy and non-adherence ( Alhabib et al, 2022 , Aljawadi et al, 2022 ). In line with the above, chronic disease patients in our study showed a statistically significant greater frequency with respect to reasons for referral to counselling in all the counselling reasons addressed.…”

“…Education and counselling about medication are essential among elderly patients who experience chronic diseases ( Marcum et al, 2013 , Chew et al, 2021 , Alhabib et al, 2022 ). Chronic disease conditions in the elderly lead to increased use of multiple medications and medication non-adherence ( Alhabib et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Education and counselling about medication are essential among elderly patients who experience chronic diseases ( Marcum et al, 2013 , Chew et al, 2021 , Alhabib et al, 2022 ). Chronic disease conditions in the elderly lead to increased use of multiple medications and medication non-adherence ( Alhabib et al, 2022 ). According to a US study, over 40% of elderly patients with chronic cardiovascular disease often fail to follow the instructions for their medication ( Marcum et al, 2013 ).…”

“…According to a US study, over 40% of elderly patients with chronic cardiovascular disease often fail to follow the instructions for their medication ( Marcum et al, 2013 ). A survey conducted in Singapore reported 60% medication non-adherence among elderly patients who had chronic diseases ( Chew et al, 2021 ), while another survey in Saudi Arabia reported 35% non-adherence among elderly patients with chronic conditions ( Alhabib et al, 2022 ). In parallel, a Saudi national survey that was focused on the prevalence of polypharmacy among Saudi elderly, found that 51.5% of participants were prescribed multiple medications ( Aljawadi et al, 2022 ).…”