Barriers and facilitators to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a qualitative theory-based study

Perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of exercise rehabilitation in adults with lung transplantation: a qualitative study in China

BACKGROUND

Exercise is crucial for pulmonary rehabilitation and improving the prognosis of lung transplantation (LTx) patients. However, many LTx patients in China have low exercise tolerance and compliance, and the reasons behind these challenges have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this qualitative research aims to identify the barriers to and facilitators of exercise rehabilitation in LTx patients.

METHODS

From January to July 2023, 15 stable LTx patients were recruited and participated in in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews at Henan Provincial People's Hospital. The interview transcripts were analyzed using the COM-B model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

RESULTS

Six general themes including 19 barriers and 14 facilitators for the exercise rehabilitation of LTx patients were identified based on the COM-B model and TDF. The barriers to exercise included physical limitations, insufficient exercise endurance, lack of knowledge, and lack of motivation. The facilitators of exercise included motivation, self-efficacy, perceived significance of exercise rehabilitation, and social support.

CONCLUSION

The study offers detailed insight into the development and implementation of exercise rehabilitation intervention strategies for LTx patients. By combining COM-B model and TDF, the study provides strong evidence that active behavior change strategies are required for LTx patients to promote their participation in exercise rehabilitation. Professional support, pulmonary rehabilitation training, behavior change technology, and digital health tools are essential for strengthening the evidence system for reporting exercise efficacy and effectiveness.

A qualitative study of facilitators of medication adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus: Perspectives from rheumatology providers/staff and patients

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects patients from racial and ethnic minority groups. Medication adherence is lower among these patient populations, and nonadherence is associated with worse health outcomes. We aimed to identify factors that enable adherence to immunosuppressive medications among patients with SLE from racial and ethnic minority groups.

METHODS

Using a qualitative descriptive study design, we conducted in-depth interviews with purposefully selected (1) patients with SLE from racial and ethnic minority groups who were taking immunosuppressants and (2) lupus providers and staff. We focused on adherence facilitators, asking patients to describe approaches supporting adherence and for overcoming common adherence challenges and providers and staff to describe actions they can take to foster patient adherence. We used applied thematic analysis and categorized themes using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) model.

RESULTS

We interviewed 12 patients (4 adherent and 8 nonadherent based on medication possession ratio) and 12 providers and staff. Although each patient described a unique set of facilitators, patients most often described social support, physical well-being, reminders, and ability to acquire medications as facilitators. Providers also commonly mentioned reminders and easy medication access as facilitators as well as patient education/communication and empowerment.

CONCLUSION

Using an established behavioral change model, we categorized a breadth of adherence facilitators within each domain of the COM-B model while highlighting patients' individual approaches. Our findings suggest that an optimal adherence intervention may require a multi-modal and individually tailored approach including components from each behavioral domain-ensuring medication access (Capability) and utilizing reminders and social support (Opportunity), while coupled with internal motivation through improved communication and empowerment (Motivation).

Barriers and Enablers in the Use of Parenteral Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

Methotrexate (MTX) is effective in controlling disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Parenteral MTX may have benefits over oral MTX, but it is rarely used in practice. To better understand this low usage rate, it is necessary to explore the barriers and enablers of therapy from the perspective of RA patients. The objectives of this scoping review were to describe RA patients' perspectives on the barriers and enablers in the use of parenteral MTX and to identify the research gaps in this field.

METHODS

The search was performed in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from inception to May 2021. Data synthesis was conducted using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. This scoping review included any type of study that explored the use of parenteral MTX by adult RA patients from the patients' perspective, written in English.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included; findings related to the constructs "affective attitude," "burden," "intervention coherence," and "self-efficacy" were explored the most, while some were rarely ("opportunity cost" and "perceived effectiveness") or not ("ethicality") reported. RA patients were generally satisfied with MTX injections ("affective attitude"). From the burden construct, the requirement for dexterity for administering MTX by injection was considered a barrier, whereas the lack of significant pain from MTX injection was considered an enabler.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggested that patients generally preferred parenteral MTX formulations with attributes that facilitate self-administration. However, much of the identified research focused on prefilled pen devices, and significant gaps were identified, such as a lack of qualitative research.

Drug-related problems reported by patients with rheumatic diseases: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Drug-related problems can negatively influence treatment outcome and well-being for patients with rheumatic diseases. Thus, it is important to support patients in preventing or resolving drug-related problems as quickly as possible. To effectively develop interventions for this purpose, knowledge on the frequency and character of drug-related problems is needed. Therefore, this study aims to quantify and characterize drug-related problems reported by patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases along their treatment process.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in a Dutch outpatient pharmacy. Adult patients with rheumatic diseases that were prescribed medication by a rheumatologist were questioned about experienced DRPs by telephone 4 times in 8 weeks using a structured interview-guide. Patient-reported DRPs were scored on uniqueness (i.e., if a specific DRP was reported in multiple interviews by one individual, this was counted as one unique DRP) and were categorized using a classification for patient-reported DRPs and analysed descriptively.

RESULTS

In total, 52 participants (median age 68 years (interquartile range (IQR) 62-74), 52% male) completed 192 interviews with 45 (87%) participants completing all 4 interviews. The majority of patients (65%) were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients reported a median number of 3 (IQR 2-5) unique DRPs during interview 1. In subsequent interviews, patients reported median numbers of 1 (IQR 0-2), 1 (IQR 0-2) and 0 (IQR 0-1) unique DRPs for interviews 2-4 respectively. Participants reported a median number of 5 (IQR 3-9) unique DRPs over all completed interviews. Unique patient-reported DRPs were most frequently categorized into (suspected) side effects (28%), medication management (e.g., medication administering or adherence) (26%), medication concerns (e.g., concerns regarding long-term side-effects or effectiveness) (19%) and medication effectiveness (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with rheumatic diseases report various unique DRPs with intervals as short as two weeks. These patients might therefore benefit from more continuous support in-between contact moments with their healthcare provider.

Current State of Platelet-rich Plasma in the Treatment of Rheumatic Disease: A Retrospective Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatic diseases are a spectrum of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases that cause damage to the musculoskeletal system as well as vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and central nervous system.

METHODS

The study of rheumatic disease has made great progress in the understanding and management of these conditions in the last few decades using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and synthesized biological immunomodulating therapies. However, one potential treatment that has not been well investigated in rheumatic disease is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP is proposed to facilitate the healing of injured tendons and ligaments through a variety of mechanisms, including mitogenesis, angiogenesis and macrophage activation via cytokine release, although its exact mechanism is unclear.

RESULT

There has been a great deal of work in determining the exact preparation method and composition of PRP for regenerative purposes in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, dentistry, cardiac surgery, pediatric surgery, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and dermatology. Despite this, there is a paucity of research on the impact of PRP on rheumatic disease.

CONCLUSION

This study aims to summarize and evaluate the current research concerning the use of PRP in rheumatic disease.

Healthcare professionals’ perceptions on barriers and facilitators to DMARD use in rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the cornerstone of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, the full benefits of DMARDs are often not realized because many patients are sub-optimally adherent to their medication. In order to optimize adherence, it is essential that healthcare professionals (HCPs) understand patients’ barriers and facilitators for medication use. Insight in these barriers and facilitators may foster the dialogue about adequate medication use between HCPs and patients. What HCPs perceive as barriers and facilitators has, so far, scarcely been investigated. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of HCPs on patients’ barriers and facilitators that might influence their adherence.

Methods

This qualitative study was performed using semi structured in-depth interviews with HCPs. An interview guide was used, based on an adjusted version of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence barriers and facilitators to DMARD use according to HCPs.

Results

Fifteen HCPs (5 rheumatologists, 5 nurses and 5 pharmacists) were interviewed. They mentioned a variety of factors that, according to their perceptions, influence DMARD adherence in patients with RA. Besides therapy-related factors, such as (onset of) medication effectiveness and side-effects, most variation was found within patient-related factors and reflected patients’ beliefs, ways of coping, and (self-management) skills toward medication and their condition. In addition, factors related to the condition (e.g., level of disease activity), healthcare team and system (e.g., trust in HCP), and social and economic context (e.g. support, work shifts) were reported.

Conclusions

This study provided insights in HCPs’ perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to DMARD use patients with RA. Most factors that were mentioned were patient-related and potentially modifiable. When physicians understand patients’ perceptions on medication use, adherence to DMARDs can probably be optimized in patients with RA leading to more effectiveness of treatment outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-07459-0.

Non-adherence in difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis from the perspectives of patients and rheumatologists: a concept mapping study

OBJECTIVES

Treatment non-adherence is more frequent among difficult-to-treat (D2T) than among non-D2T RA patients. Perceptions of non-adherence may differ. We aimed to thematically structure and prioritize barriers to (i.e. causes and reasons for non-adherence) and facilitators of optimal adherence from the patients' and rheumatologists' perspectives.

METHODS

Patients' perceptions were identified in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Experts selected representative statements regarding 40 barriers and 40 facilitators. Twenty D2T and 20 non-D2T RA patients sorted these statements during two card-sorting tasks: first, by order of content similarity and, second, content applicability. Additionally, 20 rheumatologists sorted the statements by order of content applicability to the general RA population. The similarity sorting was used as input for hierarchical cluster analysis. The applicability sorting was analysed using descriptive statistics, prioritized and the results compared between D2T RA patients, non-D2T RA patients and rheumatologists.

RESULTS

Nine clusters of barriers were identified, related to the healthcare system, treatment safety/efficacy, treatment regimen and patient behaviour. D2T RA patients prioritized adverse events and doubts about effectiveness as the most important barriers. Doubts about effectiveness were more important to D2T than to non-D2T RA patients (P = 0.02). Seven clusters of facilitators were identified, related to the healthcare system and directly to the patient. All RA patients and rheumatologists prioritized a good relationship with the healthcare professional and treatment information as the most helpful facilitators.

CONCLUSIONS

D2T RA patients, non-D2T RA patients and rheumatologists prioritized perceptions of non-adherence largely similarly. The structured overviews of barriers and facilitators provided in this study may guide improvement of adherence.

An Adaptable Framework for Factors Contributing to Medication Adherence: Results from a Systematic Review of 102 Conceptual Frameworks

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the available conceptual models for factors contributing to medication adherence based on the World Health Organization (WHO)'s five dimensions of medication adherence via a systematic review, identify the patient groups described in available conceptual models, and present an adaptable conceptual model that describes the factors contributing to medication adherence in the identified patient groups.

METHODS

We searched PubMed®, Embase®, CINAHL®, and PsycINFO® for English language articles published from inception until 31 March 2020. Full-text original publications in English that presented theoretical or conceptual models for factors contributing to medication adherence were included. Studies that presented statistical models were excluded. Two authors independently extracted the data.

RESULTS

We identified 102 conceptual models, and classified the factors contributing to medication adherence using the WHO's five dimensions of medication adherence, namely patient-related, medication-related, condition-related, healthcare system/healthcare provider-related, and socioeconomic factors. Eight patient groups were identified based on age and disease condition. The most universally addressed factors were patient-related factors. Medication-related, condition-related, healthcare system-related, and socioeconomic factors were represented to various extents depending on the patient group. By systematically examining how the WHO's five dimensions of medication adherence were applied differently across the eight different patient groups, we present a conceptual model that can be adapted to summarize the common factors contributing to medication adherence in different patient groups.

CONCLUSION

Our conceptual models can be utilized as a guide for clinicians and researchers in identifying the facilitators and barriers to medication adherence and developing future interventions to improve medication adherence.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42020181316.

Patient's experiences of the barriers and facilitators to Methotrexate

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the barriers and facilitators of adherence to methotrexate (MTX) in people with rheumatic diseases and to explore the experience of shared decision-making.

METHODS

A qualitative study was carried out. People diagnosed with inflammatory arthritides or systemic autoimmune diseases and who were treated with MTX were invited to participate in focus groups. The discourse was coded and synthesised with a content analysis approach.

RESULTS

The groups included 12 representative patients (rheumatoid arthritis, spondylarthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, taking either oral or subcutaneous MTX). Four main themes were identified: (1) drug-related aspects (package insert, adverse events, administration, and difficulties with treatment); (2) patient-physician relationship; (3) social environment (lack of visibility of rheumatic diseases and the support of patient associations); and (4) medication and medical care practicalities (information, reliable sources, and expanding knowledge in other health areas).

CONCLUSIONS

Aspects identified might help improve adherence, including quality information, especially on adverse events, the role of the setting, and shared decision-making.

Ranking facilitators and barriers of medication adherence by patients with inflammatory arthritis: a maximum difference scaling exercise

Introduction

Facilitators and barriers of adherence to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been identified by patients with inflammatory arthritis earlier. However, the relative importance from the patients’ perspective of these factors is unknown. Knowledge on this ranking might guide the development of interventions and may facilitate targeted communication on adherence. This study aims to examine 1) the relative importance patients attach to facilitators and barriers for DMARDs adherence, and 2) the relationship between patient characteristics and ranking of these factors.

Methods

One hundred twenty-eight outpatients with inflammatory arthritis; (60% female, mean age 62 years (SD = 12), median disease duration 15 years, IQR (7, 23) participated in a Maximum Difference scaling exercise and ranked 35 items based upon previously identified facilitators and barriers to medication adherence. Hierarchical Bayes estimation was used to compute mean Rescaled Probability Scores (RPS; 0–100) (i.e. relative importance score). Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to examine a possible association between patients’ characteristics (i.e. age, sex and educational level) and ranking of the items.

Results

The three most important items ranked by patients were: Reduction of symptoms formulated as “Arthritis medications help to reduce my symptoms” (RPS = 7.30, CI 7.17–7.44), maintaining independence formulated as “I can maintain my independence as much as possible” (RPS = 6.76, CI 6.54–6.97) and Shared decision making formulated as “I can decide –together with my physician- about my arthritis medications” (RPS = 6.48, CI 6.24–6.72). No associations between patient characteristics and ranking of factors were found.

Conclusions

Reducing symptoms, maintaining independency and shared decision making are patients’ most important factors for DMARDs adherence. This knowledge might guide the development of interventions and may facilitate communication between health professionals and their patients on medication adherence.

2020 EULAR points to consider for the prevention, screening, assessment and management of non-adherence to treatment in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases for use in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Non-adherence to treatment could preclude reaching an optimal outcome. Thirty to 80% of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) do not adhere to the agreed treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to establish points to consider (PtCs) for the prevention, screening, assessment and management of non-adherence to (non-)pharmacological treatments in people with RMDs.

METHODS

An EULAR task force (TF) was established, and the EULAR standardised operating procedures for the development of PtCs were followed. The TF included healthcare providers (HCPs), comprising rheumatologists, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and patient-representatives from 12 European countries. A review of systematic reviews was conducted in advance to support the TF in formulating the PtCs. The level of agreement among the TF was established by anonymous online voting.

RESULTS

Four overarching principles and nine PtCs were formulated. The PtCs reflect the phases of action on non-adherence. HCPs should assess and discuss adherence with patients on a regular basis and support patients to treatment adherence. As adherence is an agreed behaviour, the treatment has to be tailored to the patients' needs. The level of agreement ranged from 9.5 to 9.9 out of 10.

CONCLUSIONS

These PtCs can help HCPs to support people with RMDs to be more adherent to the agreed treatment plan. The basic scheme being prevent non-adherence by bonding with the patient and building trust, overcoming structural barriers, assessing in a blame-free environment and tailoring the solution to the problem.

Development and Validation of Adherence Score for Subcutaneous Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

Background: The biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are currently incorporated as part of the pharmacotherapy management of inflammatory arthritis (IA). Adherence to bDMARDs is crucial to ensure treatment success in IA. However, most of the recent studies evaluated adherence level in patients using subcutaneous injections of bDMARDs utilized the indirect methods adapted from adherence assessment for oral medication. Aim: This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to assess adherence to the self-injectable subcutaneous bDMARDs. Methods: The development of the Subcutaneous bDMARDs Adherence Score (SCADS) involved evaluation of content validity. Literature reviews provide the basis for domain identification and item formation. Four experts evaluated the instrument by using a four-point ordinal scale with a rubric scoring on relevance, importance, and clarity of each item in measuring the overarching construct. The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and the scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) were calculated. The factor structure and internal consistency reliability of SCADS were estimated using principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Results: Both S-CVI/UA (universal agreement) and the average item-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) (average) for the entire instrument showed excellent criteria with a value of >0.90. Cronbach's alpha coefficient value for SCADS was 0.707 indicating good internal consistency. All items showed corrected item-total correlation coefficients above 0.244. Questionnaire items with a factor loading of 0.30 or above were considered in the final factor solution. The factor analysis resulted in 3-factor solutions, which corresponded to 66.62% of the total variance. Conclusion: The SCADS is a consistent and reliable instrument for evaluating adherence among IA patients using the subcutaneous bDMARDs. It is simple to use, yet comprehensive but still requiring further clinical and international validation.

Association between healthcare practitioners' beliefs about statins and patients' beliefs and adherence

AIMS

Adherence to statins ranges from 32% to 79%. Patients' beliefs about medication are associated with adherence. There is lack of insight into the possible association between beliefs of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) about statins and patients' beliefs and adherence. This study aims to examine whether HCPs' beliefs about statins are associated with patients' beliefs and adherence about/to statins.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 48 pharmacies and affiliated physicians' practices between 3 September 2014 and 20 March 2015. HCPs' (prescribers and pharmacy staff) and patients' beliefs about statins were assessed with the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) specific. Adherence to statins was assessed with the MARS-5 questionnaire. Multilevel regression analysis was performed to assess the association between HCPs' beliefs and patients' beliefs and adherence.

RESULTS

1504 patients (mean age 66.8 [s.d. ± 9.9] years, 46.5% female) and 734 HCPs (209 physicians, 118 pharmacists and 366 pharmacy technicians) participated in this study. Patients have higher BMQ necessity (16.9 [s.d. ± 4.3]) and BMQ concern (12.3 [s.d. ± 3.9]) scores than HCPs (15.0 [s.d. ± 3.0] and 11.5 [s.d. ± 2.9], P < 0.001). No associations were found between any of the HCPs' BMQ and patients' BMQ scores and adherence to statins. Patients' BMQ necessity, concern and necessity-concerns (NC)-differential scores were associated with patients' adherence (MARS-5) scores. B (95% CI) coefficients were 0.057 (0.035-0.079), -0.040 (-0.064 to -0.016) and.061 (0.043-0.079).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients have stronger beliefs about medication compared to HCPs. No associations were found between HCPs' BMQ scores on the one hand and patients' BMQ scores and adherence to statins on the other hand.

Rheumatologists' insight into medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Medication non-adherence is prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatologists are specialists in medication prescribing and counselling for RA, but their insights regarding medication adherence have not been studied.

OBJECTIVE

To explore rheumatologists' insights into medication adherence in patients with RA.

METHODS

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 10 rheumatologists in Iran was undertaken. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify how rheumatologists assess medication adherence and their perceived determinants of adherence. The identified determinants of adherence were mapped according to the Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use.

RESULTS

Six participants were male, and the mean age was 47 years. The mean years of experience as a rheumatologist was 8.6 (SD = 7.1) years. Rheumatologists did not use a validated tool for medication adherence assessment. They assessed medication adherence either by asking their patients simple questions or using laboratory test results. The identified determinants of adherence were divided into 3 groups: patient-, rheumatologist- and healthcare organization-related determinants. The proposed suggestions to improve adherence were: (a) to understand a patient's financial situation before prescribing more expensive medications; (b) to employ a dose-reducing strategy; (c) to give hope to patients regarding remission; and (d) to arrange a session with the nurse educator.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study provide insight into rheumatologists' perspectives on medication adherence of patients with RA. The identified determinants of adherence could be considered when developing initiatives to improve medication adherence in this group of patients.

Evaluation of treatment adherence in patients with Behçet's disease: its relation to disease manifestations, patients' beliefs about medications, and quality of life

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Despite its importance, adherence to treatment has not been sufficiently studied in Behçet's disease (BD). The aim of this study was to evaluate medication adherence in BD using the Compliance Questionnaire of Rheumatology (CQR) and factors potentially affecting it.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study included 67 consecutive BD patients including 57 (85%) males with a mean age of 35.1 ± 9.27 years and mean disease duration of 129 ± 91 months. The cumulative clinical manifestations, the Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) score, and the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) were recorded. The CQR, Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire for Health Research in Egypt (SES), the Beliefs about Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) quality of life assessment questionnaire were administered to the patients. Linear regression analysis was done to determine independent predictors of CQR.

RESULTS

The mean BDCAF score was 3.27 ± 3.54 and the VDI was 3.36 ± 2.21. The mean CQR score was 69.2 ± 11.79. The CQR score varied significantly among different health sources (p = 0.02), with no relationship detected with other sociodemographic characteristics, nor with clinical characteristics or the SF-36. Among the investigated medications' complexities, severity of side effects showed significantly different CQR scores (p = 0.004), and a weak positive correlation between medications' numbers and the CQR was detected. Predictors for higher CQR scores included the necessity beliefs score of the BMQ (β = 1.1, p < 0.001); whereas, predictors for lower CQR scores were the harm and concern BMQ subscales ((β = - 1.5, p = 0.004) and (β = - 0.72, p = 0.032), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Beliefs about medications were the only predictor for adherence in our cohort.

I do not want to suppress the natural process of inflammation: new insights on factors associated with non-adherence in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 50-70% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are non-adherent to their recommended treatment. Non-adherent patients have a higher risk of not reaching an optimal clinical outcome. We explored factors associated with nonadherence from the patient's perspective.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty-nine RA patients (346 (75.4%) females; mean age 63.0 ± 14.8 years) who failed to attend follow-up visits in two rheumatology centres were eligible to participate in a qualitative interview study. We used this strategy to identify patients who were potentially non-adherent to medicines and/or non-pharmacological interventions. By means of meaning condensation analysis, we identified new and some already well known insights to factors associated with non-adherence. We used the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B) model as a frame of reference to classify the factors.

RESULTS

Forty-three of 131 patients (32.8%) who agreed to participate in the qualitative interviews were found to be non-adherent. New insights on factors associated with non-adherence included strong opinions of patients, such as pain being considered as an indicator of hard work and something to be proud of, or inflammation being a natural process that should not be suppressed; feeling not to be in expert's hands when being treated by a physician/health professional; the experience of excessive self-control over the treatment; and rheumatologists addressing only drugs and omitting non-pharmacological aspects. The COM-B model comprehensively covered the range of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The new insights on factors associated with non-adherence allow a better understanding of this phenomenon and can substantially enhance patient care by helping to develop targeted interventions.

Exploring strategies to support medication adherence in patients with inflammatory arthritis: a patient-oriented qualitative study using an interactive focus group activity

OBJECTIVE

Medication non-adherence is a substantial problem among patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). Our aim was to explore IA patients' perspectives on strategies to support medication adherence.

METHODS

We collaborated with a leading arthritis patient group and conducted a qualitative study on individuals with IA who were taking at least one medication for their IA. An experienced facilitator led participants through a focus group exercise where participants were asked to design, and then discuss, strategies and/or tools supporting medication use. We applied thematic analysis using an iterative, constant comparative approach.

RESULTS

We studied six focus groups with 27 participants diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and comparatively under-represented conditions in this research area such as Sjögren's syndrome. Five themes emerged throughout the analysis. Two themes - 1) adapting to life with IA and 2) the complexities and dynamic nature of taking medications - describe learning to live with a chronic condition and the challenges encountered when using long-term medications. Three themes - 3) developing lifestyle strategies for medication use (eg, having physical reminders and prompts), 4) becoming informed about medications (eg, information at time of diagnosis, means of receiving information) and 5) receiving support (eg, from health care team members, from family) - offer perspectives on facilitators to medication use. From the relationship between the latter themes, a framework was developed that encompasses means of receiving information and support as actionable targets for patient-oriented adherence interventions for IA.

CONCLUSION

This patient-oriented study highlights the importance of developing timely adherence interventions for IA. Our findings also led to a framework describing means of receiving information, such as through digital media and support, including from health care team members and family, as actionable targets for patient-oriented adherence interventions for IA.

Barriers to medication adherence in patients prescribed medicines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: a conceptual framework

OBJECTIVES

To identify barriers to medication adherence in patients prescribed medicines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and map these to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), to produce a conceptual framework for developing a questionnaire-based medication adherence tool.

METHODS

A scoping review of barriers to medication adherence in long-term conditions was conducted to generate an initial pool of barriers. After preliminary mapping to the TDF, these barriers were presented to two focus groups of patients prescribed medicines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (n = 14) to stimulate discussion. The group discussions enabled the patients' interpretations of the adherence barriers to be determined, provided validity from the patient perspective and identified additional barriers unrepresented in the scoping review.

KEY FINDINGS

The preliminary pool of adherence barriers was identified from 47 studies across a range of long-term conditions. The majority of TDF domains were represented by these literature-identified barriers except 'social/professional role and identity' and 'behavioural regulation'. Barrier mapping was largely endorsed by focus group participants, who also contributed additional barriers, including those relating to not having a 'system' in place for managing their medicines and the negative emotions evoked by medicine taking.

CONCLUSION

The TDF enabled full exploration of adherence barriers including those relating to emotions which have received limited attention in the literature. This work has provided a conceptual framework for developing a questionnaire to identify an individual's adherence barriers which may then be coupled with appropriate behaviour change techniques to deliver a theory-based intervention tailored for individual need.

Expert recommendations on the psychological needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To establish feasible and practical recommendations for the management of the psychological needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the moment of diagnosis through the course of the disease.

METHODS

A nominal group meeting was held with an RA expert team including rheumatologists and psychologists, at which a guided discussion addressed the most important psychological and emotional needs in RA. Based on the comments collected, and a literature review, a matrix document of recommendations for telematics discussion was prepared, as well as a Delphi survey to test agreement with these recommendations. Agreement was defined if at least 80% of participants voted ≥ 7 (from 1, totally disagree to 10, totally agree). For each recommendation, the level of evidence and grading of recommendations was established following the Oxford criteria, and the degree of agreement through the Delphi.

RESULTS

Thirteen recommendations were established, addressing several key processes: (1) identification of psychological problems and needs in patients with RA, and a guideline for their management in daily practice; (2) communication with patients; (3) referral criteria to mental health professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations are intended to help health care professionals openly address the psychological aspects of patients in daily practice to follow and treat them properly.

Barriers to Adherence in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Multicenter Collaborative Experience and Preliminary Results

OBJECTIVE

Nonadherence is currently an underrecognized and potentially modifiable obstacle to care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The purpose of our study was to design and implement a standardized approach to identifying adherence barriers for youth with JIA across 7 pediatric rheumatology clinics through the Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network (PR-COIN) and to assess the frequency of adherence barriers in patients and their caregivers across treatment modalities.

METHODS

An iterative process using coproduction among parents and providers of patients with JIA was used to design the Barriers Assessment Tool to screen for adherence barriers across 4 treatment modalities (i.e., oral medications, injectable medications, infusions, and physical/occupational therapy). This tool was implemented in 7 rheumatology clinics across the United States and patient responses were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 578 parents and 99 patients (n = 44 parent-child dyads). Seventy-seven percent (n = 444) of caregivers and 70% (n = 69) of patients reported at least 1 adherence barrier across all treatment components. The most commonly reported adherence barriers included worry about future consequences of therapy, pain, forgetting, side effects, and embarrassment related to the therapy. There was no significant difference between endorsement of barriers between parents and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a standardized tool assessing adherence barriers in the JIA population across multiple clinical settings is feasible. Systematic screening sheds light on the factors that make adherence difficult in JIA and identifies targets for future adherence interventions in clinical practice.

Using Theory to Explore the Determinants of Medication Adherence; Moving Away from a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Non-adherence to prescribed medicines has been described as "a worldwide problem of striking magnitude", diminishing treatment effects and wasting resources. Evidence syntheses report current adherence interventions achieve modest improvements at best, and highlight the poor progress toward the longstanding aim of a gold-standard intervention, tailored to meet individual need. Techniques such as motivational interviewing and health coaching, which aim to facilitate patient-centred care and improve patient resourcefulness, have shown promise in supporting adherence, especially in patients with psychological barriers to medicine-taking, such as illness perceptions and health beliefs. Despite a plethora of research, there is little recognition that the nature and complexity of non-adherence is such that a one-size-fits-all approach to interventions is never likely to suffice. This commentary re-visits the call for adherence interventions to be tailored to meet individual need, by considering what this means for day-to-day practice and how this can be achieved. It provides an update on advances in psychological theory to identify the root cause of an individual's non-adherence to encourage matching of provided adherence support. It also provides a practical perspective by considering exemplars of innovative practice and evaluating the day-to-day practicalities of taking a novel approach.