Medication nonadherence in elderly patients in a Thai geriatric clinic

Abstract

Background: Medication nonadherence is common in elderly patients and is a major cause of morbidity. However, it is not well-described in the literature and to our knowledge has never been studied in Thais. Objective: To investigate the extent, causes, and contributing factors of medication nonadherence in older patients in a geriatric clinic. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Siriraj Hospital, a university teaching hospital in Bangkok. We assessed baseline demographic data, comorbid diseases, Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE), functional status (basic and basic activities of daily living), type and number of medications used, and medication adherence. Results: There were 153 participants in this study. Medication nonadherence, in the administration of prescribed drugs only, was found in 34% of the participants. Nonadherence to administration of prescribed drugs and to the advice regarding over-the-counter drugs was 42.5%. Nonadherence to the administration of prescribed drugs and to the advice regarding over-the-counter drugs, and herbal and dietary supplements was 54.9%. Three most common causes of medication nonadherence were misunderstanding or lack of the knowledge (25.6%), the development of adverse drug events (18.9%), and because of a suggestion by a friend or family member (16.2%). Conclusion: Medication nonadherence is common in elderly Thais attending geriatric clinics. We recommend clinicians be aware of this problem and develop a system to improve medication adherence. The clarification of reasons for prescribing is crucial. We recommend emphasis on educating patients, family members, and the public about the risk of nonadherence and of using nonprescribed medications.

Understanding the needs of caregivers of persons with dementia: a scoping review

“…Dementia caregivers' needs 45 Cascioli et al, 2008;Raivio et al, 2007;Rosa et al, 2010;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Wawrziczny et al, 2017 b. Household work; 3(10%) Raivio et al, 2007;Wawrziczny et al, 2017;Zwaanswijk et al, 2013 c. Supervision/ support;6(19%) Galvin et al, 2011;Lai and Chung 2007;Landmark et al, 2013;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Peeters et al, 2010;Wawrziczny et al, 2017 17(55%) Black et al, 2013;Lai and Chung, 2007;Czarnuch and Mihailidis, 2011;Gibson et al, 2014;Griffiths and Bunyarong, 2016;Hughes et al, 2014;Lawrence et al, 2008;Lilly et al, 2012;Millenaar et al, 2018;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Raivio et al, 2007;Samia et al, 2012;Stirling et al, 2010;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Wawrziczny et al, 2017;Zwaanswijk et al, 2013 2. Relationship with Formal Service Providers 9(29%) Cascioli et al, 2008;Diehl-Schmid et al, 2013;Gibson et al, 2014;Lilly et al, 2012;McHugh et al, 2012;Millenaar et al, 2018;Samia et al, 2012;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Wawrziczny et al, 2017 3.…”

“…Physical health 10(32%) Black et al, 2013;Cascioli et al, 2008;Galvin et al, 2011;Gratão et al, 2010;Hirakawa et al, 2011;Hughes et al, 2014;Landmark et al, 2013;Nichols et al, 2009;Samia et al, 2012;Wawrziczny et al, 2017 b. Emotional health 18(58%) Black et al, 2013;Boots et al, 2015;Cascioli et al, 2008;Diehl-Schmid et al, 2013;Gibson et al, 2014;Griffiths and Bunyarong, 2016;Hughes et al, 2014;Kerpershoek et al, 2017;Landmark et al, 2013;Lilly et al, 2012;Nichols et al, 2009;Nicolaou et al, 2010;Peeters et al, 2010;Peterson et al, 2016;Samia et al, 2012;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Wawrziczny et al, 2017;Zwaanswijk et al, Boots et al, 2015;Galvin et al, 2011;Gratão et al, 2010;Gibson et al, 2014;Griffiths and Bunyarong, 2016;Hirakawa et al, 2011;Jong and Boersma 2009;Kerpershoek et al, 2017;Lai and Chung, 2007;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Nicolaou et al, 2010;Peeters et al, 2010;…”

“…Emotional health 18(58%) Black et al, 2013;Boots et al, 2015;Cascioli et al, 2008;Diehl-Schmid et al, 2013;Gibson et al, 2014;Griffiths and Bunyarong, 2016;Hughes et al, 2014;Kerpershoek et al, 2017;Landmark et al, 2013;Lilly et al, 2012;Nichols et al, 2009;Nicolaou et al, 2010;Peeters et al, 2010;Peterson et al, 2016;Samia et al, 2012;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Wawrziczny et al, 2017;Zwaanswijk et al, Boots et al, 2015;Galvin et al, 2011;Gratão et al, 2010;Gibson et al, 2014;Griffiths and Bunyarong, 2016;Hirakawa et al, 2011;Jong and Boersma 2009;Kerpershoek et al, 2017;Lai and Chung, 2007;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Nicolaou et al, 2010;Peeters et al, 2010;Peterson et al, 2016;Vaingankar et al, 2013;Zwaanswijk et al, 2013 d. Information about professional support and formal services 9(29%) Diehl-Schmid et al, 2013;Hirakawa et al, 2011;Lai and Chung, 2007;Lilly et al, 2012;Muangpaisan et al, 2010;Peterson et al, 2016;…”

Effectiveness of mobile application (EASYDM) for diabetes control focusing on diabetes medication adherence among uncontrolled diabetes patients attending primary care units in Bangkok Thailand: a randomized controlled trial

“…Provision of a disease information pamphlet with or without directed counseling can equally enhance medication adherence of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis . (Taibanguay, Chaiamnuay, Asavatanabodee, & Narongroeknawin, 2019) W. Muangpaisan et al (2014) study on medication nonadherence in elderly patients in a thai geriatric clinic. The study aims to investigate the extent, causes, and contributing factors of medication nonadherence in older patients in a geriatric clinic.…”

“…The clarification of reasons for prescribing is crucial. (Muangpaisan, Pisalsalakij, Intalapaporn, & Chatthanawaree, 2014) Amar F. El-Gayar et al' s study " mobile applications for diabetes selfmanagement: status and potential" (2013) review covers commercial applications available on the Apple App Store ( as a representative of commercially available applications) and articles published in relevant databases covering a period from January 1995 to August 2012. The review included all applications supporting any diabetes self-management task where the patient is the primary actor.…”