Medication adherence in patients in treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus in a university hospital in Brazil

Complementary Therapies and Their Association with Problems in Therapeutic Adherence to Conventional Synthetic DMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

The use of complementary therapies is highly prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, the use of complementary medicine could involve problems in the following of scientifically accepted treatments. To date, there is limited information regarding the association of nonconventional therapies with problems regarding compliance with the treatment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify whether the utilization of complementary therapies is associated with a high risk of problems regarding therapeutic adherence to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cs-DMARDs) in RA patients. A survey was performed with RA patients in an outpatient rheumatology clinic in a university hospital; the use of complementary therapies, as well as their type, was identified. To assess problems with therapeutic adherence, we used the four-item Morisky-Green scale. A comprehensive assessment of clinical and therapeutic characteristics was performed. Univariable and multivariable models were performed to identify the risk of problems with therapeutic adherence in users of complementary therapies. In total, 250 RA patients were included; 92% used complementary therapies. Of them, the most frequently used were herbal medicine (65%), homeopathy (64%), and cannabis and its derivatives (51%). In the univariable logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with problems in the therapeutic adherence to cs-DMARDs were age (p = 0.019), the presence of other comorbidities (p = 0.047), and the use of complementary therapies (p = 0.042). After controlling for potential confounders, the use of complementary therapies increased the risk of problems with therapeutic adherence to cs-DMARDs (adjusted OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.06-7.63, p = 0.037). We concluded that the use of complementary therapies increases the risk of problems with therapeutic adherence. Therefore, for physicians and healthcare professionals, the early identification of the use of nonconventional therapies in their RA patients is required, followed by a directed discussion with their patients about the risks and benefits to which they could be exposed to complementary therapies.

Digging Deep: Medication Adherence in Chronic Diseases and Its Association With Patient Satisfaction and Stress in an Indian Metropolis

Introduction Medication adherence is a critical aspect of managing chronic diseases. Poor medication adherence leads to therapeutic failures and increased health costs, and puts patients at potentially life-threatening risks.The impact is felt drastically by patients suffering from chronic diseases. Patient satisfaction is known to be strongly associated with medication adherence. Psychosocial factors such as depression have been proven to negatively affect medication adherence; however, to our best knowledge, the association of stress with adherence remains largely unexplored. Objectives The aim of this study is to explore or assess the relationship between medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and stress levels. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted within an Indian metropolitan city (Mumbai) among adults diagnosed and treated for at least one chronic disease with a medication regimen spanning over three months. An online questionnaire was designed, incorporating validated scales such as the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale, Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction, and Perceived Stress Scale. Results In the study, 23.7% of participants (n=300) showed adherence to their prescribed treatment regimen. Adherence exhibited a positive association with age (p=0.009) and educational attainment (p=0.031). Additionally, a significant gender difference emerged, with males (28%) displaying higher adherence rates compared to females (16.7%) (p=0.036). Furthermore, participants reporting lower stress levels exhibited higher adherence (39.5%), while those experiencing moderate-to-high stress levels displayed reduced adherence rates (17-18.8%) (p<0.05). Patient satisfaction was also linked to adherence, as satisfied individuals demonstrated higher adherence levels (29.1%) in contrast to dissatisfied counterparts (15.7%) (p=0.011). Conclusion Level of medication adherence is much lower in India as compared to other developed nations. Various demographic factors such as age, sex, and education status influence adherence. Physician counselling plays an important role in adherence, and satisfied patients are far more adherent. Furthermore, a significant negative association was found between stress and adherence.

Medication adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus during Brazilian COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic diseases are potential candidates for inadequate follow-up of drug therapy, tending to incur damage to the intended results. This deserves greater attention in the pandemic period, as they are in the considered risk group.

METHODS

We aim to assess Treatment Adherence Measure and analyze associations with characteristics related to the patient, treatment, disease, health professionals and service, and sociodemographic issues in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). W conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 116 participants, whose data were collected through individual interviews and review of medical records, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Adherence was measured using the Treatment Adherence Measure, and associations were evidenced through described and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The percentage of adherent patients was 55.2%. An association was found between MTA (Medication Treatment Adherence) and physical exercise practice (p = 0.032), and difficulties with treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Participants who did not practice physical exercise were 3.71 times more likely to not adhere to the treatment. Individuals who identified difficulties in the treatment were 3.43 times more likely to not adhere to the treatment; we believe that the pandemic may have influenced this result. More targeted studies are needed to measure the impact on MTA in these patients.

Selected psychological factors and medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between medication adherence (MA) and selected psychological factors in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material and methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in four rheumatology outpatient clinics in Silesia, Poland. The tests used were the Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The analysis involved 106 adult patients diagnosed with RA at least 6 months before, who were prescribed medication, with disease at any stage and with stable comorbidities. Software was used to perform analyses of frequency, basic descriptive statistics, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student’s t-test for independent samples, intergroup univariate variance, Pearson’s r correlation coefficient, Spearman’s rank correlation ρ coefficient, Fisher’s exact test and stepwise linear regression.

Results

Powerful Others Health Locus of Control (PHLC), Internal Health Locus of Control (IHLC) and age of the subjects, F(3, 102) = 8.05; p < 0.001 explained 16.8% of the variation in the adherence level for the entire group. In the group of women PHLC and IHLC, F(2, 80) = 10.04; p < 0.001 were included in the model, which explained 18.1% of variation in MA. PHLC was the most significant factor in the group of women (β = 0.55; p < 0.001) and in the entire group (β = 0.48; p < 0.001). In the group of men, Social Diversion Style (SDS), F(1, 21) = 5.81; p = 0.02 was included in the model, which explained 17.9% of the variation in the MA level.

Conclusions

The study identified some psychological predictors of adherence, which explained 16.8% of the variability. Factors increasing the likelihood of medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis include a strong belief in the power of others, low level of internal health locus of control, and advanced age.

Scenario of the Treatment of Arthritis with Natural Products

Background:

Conventional treatments of arthritis use toxic and poorly tolerated drugs. Therefore, natural products are an alternative because they are important sources of bioactive substances with therapeutic potential.

Objective:

To perform synthesis of patent applications associated with the use of natural products in the technological development of the invention for use in treating arthritis.

Methods:

The search for patents was conducted using the following databases of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patent Office (EPO, Espacenet), United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO) and National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) using as keywords - arthritis, treatment and the International Patent Classification (IPC) A61K36 / 00.

Results:

A total of 617 patents related to the subject were registered in the period available in patents databases during the study period from the years 2005 to 2017, of which 44 were analyzed based on the established inclusion criteria. The most important countries for protecting these inventions were China, followed by the United States of America, the Republic of Korea and Japan. As for the typology of depositors, that were identified by Educational Institutions and Public Institutes of Research (IEIPP) and Companies and Private Research Institutes (EIPP).

Conclusion:

The analysis of patents made it possible to characterize the natural products used in the treatment of arthritis, with emphasis on botanical extracts (71%), as a single component, as well as in association with other botanical extracts, isolated compounds and minerals.

Validation of the General Medication Adherence Scale in Pakistani Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to validate the Urdu version of General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis disease.

METHODS

A 2-month (March-April 2019) cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The sample size was calculated using item-subject ratio of 1:20. The scale was evaluated for factorial, concrete, concurrent, and known group validities. Concrete validity was established by correlating scores of EQ-5D quality of life scale and GMAS adherence score. Concurrent validity was established by correlating the GMAS adherence score with pill count. Analyses for sensitivity were also conducted. Cut-off value was determined through receiver operator curve (ROC), and test-retest method was used to analyze internal consistency and reliability. Data were analyzed through IBM SPSS, IBM AMOS, and MedCalc software. The Urdu version of EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire was used with permission from developers (#ID20884). The study was approved by an ethics committee (#NOV:15).

RESULTS

A total of 351 responses were analyzed. The response rate was 98%. Reliability was in acceptable range, i.e., Cronbach α = 0.797. Factorial validity was established by calculation of satisfactory fit indices. Correlation coefficients for concrete and concurrent validities were ρ = 0.687, p < 0.01 and ρ = 0.779, p < 0.01, respectively. Known group validity was established as significant association of adherence score with insurance and illness duration (p < 0.05) that were reported. Sensitivity of the scale was 94%. Most patients had high adherence (N = 159, 45.3%).

CONCLUSION

The Urdu version of GMAS demonstrated adequate internal consistency and was validated. These results indicate that it is an appropriate tool to measure medication adherence in Pakistani patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Medication adherence to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disabling autoimmune disease with predilection to synovial joints and many extraarticular manifestations. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are the cornerstone and initial therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Although medication adherence is crucial for successful therapy, non-adherence is a substantial problem in some. This study aimed to determine the adherence rate of treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in an Egyptian university hospital. In this study, seventy-three adult rheumatoid arthritis patients who are on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs treatment for at least 6 months were included in this study. After full history and clinical examination, assessment of the adherence rate to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was done using the Clinician Rating Scale. Measuring the quality of life using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index and screening for depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were done. The socio-economic level of the patients was assessed by socio-economic status scale.

Results

In the current study, 65.1% of the patients were highly adherent to their disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) medications, while 26% showed middle level of adherence. There was a significant difference between medication adherence and anxiety, but not with other demographic data, clinical data, disease activity, or socio-economic level.

Conclusion

In this study, no significant difference was found between medication adherence and demographic, clinical, or socio-economic data. However, anxiety was significantly related to DMARD adherence in the studied group. Age and HAQ-DI were found to be strong predictors to medication adherence in our RA patients. Further studies should be conducted on a large number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis to become generalizable to a broader population.

What are the risk factors of poor medication adherence in the target-to-treat era?

Objectives

This study aims to identify adherence rate and risk factors of poor adherence in patients with tightly controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on the treat-to-target (TTT) strategy.

Patients and methods

In this cross-sectional, observational study, a total of 103 patients (22 males, 81 females; mean age 58.6±9.5 years; range, 35 to 76 years) with tightly controlled RA between November 2016 and May 2017 were included. The patients were evaluated in terms of sociodemographic features, smoking and alcohol drinking status, body mass index (BMI), Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), and clinical and medication data. They filled out a series of standardized questionnaires including the Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Multiple multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify variables which were possibly associated with the MMAS-8.

Results

Of the patients, 53 (51.5%) were non-adherent and 50 (48.5%) were adherent to medication. The DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mean DAS28, HAQ, BDI scores, and the number of visits were higher and the MMSE scores were lower in non-adherent patients than adherent patients. In the linear multivariate analysis, significant associations were found between the MMAS-8 and MMSE, BDI, DAS28, and mean DAS28 scores.

Conclusion

Our study results show that the medication adherence rate is significantly higher compared to previous studies and high disease activity, depression, and cognitive dysfunction significantly affect medication adherence in this patient population.

Effect of patient education on medication adherence of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

There is a general understanding that patient educational interventions for enhancing medication adherence are important. However, their success at improving adherence is debatable. This study aimed to assess the influence of different modes of patient education on medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty RA patients with non-adherence, defined as pill count ≥80% or medication-taking behavior questionnaire for Thai patient ≥23, were randomized by block randomization and assigned in a 1:1 allocation ratio to two study arms: multi-component intervention group or single intervention group. The multi-component intervention group received 30-minute directed counseling and a disease information pamphlet. The single intervention group received only a disease information pamphlet. The primary outcomes were an improvement in an adherence rate measured by pill count after 12 weeks. The Thai Clinical Trial Registry number is TCTR20171207003.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the pill count adherence rate increased significantly from baseline in both study groups. In the multi-component intervention group, adherence rate increased from 92.21±14.05 to 97.59±10.07 (P=0.002) and in the single intervention group, it increased from 88.60±19.66 to 92.42±14.27 (P=0.044). However, the mean difference between the multi-component intervention group and the single intervention group was not significant (5.38±12.90 vs 3.18±14.23, P=0.531). Clinical outcomes, including disease activity score 28, EuroQoL-5D, EuroQol visual analog scale, pain score, and physician global assessment were unchanged from baseline in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Patient education significantly improved adherence. However, there were no differences between single education intervention and multi-component education intervention in improving medication adherence. Provision of a disease information pamphlet with or without directed counseling can equally enhance medication adherence of patients with RA.

First Latin American clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: Latin American Group for the Study of Lupus (GLADEL, Grupo Latino Americano de Estudio del Lupus)-Pan-American League of Associations of Rheumatology (PANLAR)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex and heterogeneous autoimmune disease, represents a significant challenge for both diagnosis and treatment. Patients with SLE in Latin America face special problems that should be considered when therapeutic guidelines are developed. The objective of the study is to develop clinical practice guidelines for Latin American patients with lupus. Two independent teams (rheumatologists with experience in lupus management and methodologists) had an initial meeting in Panama City, Panama, in April 2016. They selected a list of questions for the clinical problems most commonly seen in Latin American patients with SLE. These were addressed with the best available evidence and summarised in a standardised format following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. All preliminary findings were discussed in a second face-to-face meeting in Washington, DC, in November 2016. As a result, nine organ/system sections are presented with the main findings; an 'overarching' treatment approach was added. Special emphasis was made on regional implementation issues. Best pharmacologic options were examined for musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous, kidney, cardiac, pulmonary, neuropsychiatric, haematological manifestations and the antiphospholipid syndrome. The roles of main therapeutic options (ie, glucocorticoids, antimalarials, immunosuppressant agents, therapeutic plasma exchange, belimumab, rituximab, abatacept, low-dose aspirin and anticoagulants) were summarised in each section. In all cases, benefits and harms, certainty of the evidence, values and preferences, feasibility, acceptability and equity issues were considered to produce a recommendation with special focus on ethnic and socioeconomic aspects. Guidelines for Latin American patients with lupus have been developed and could be used in similar settings.

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.

Medical adherence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Germany: predictors and reasons for non-adherence – a cross-sectional analysis of the LuLa-cohort

Objective

Adherence to medication has a major impact on treatment control and success especially in chronic diseases but often remains unrecognized. Besides clinical, socioeconomic, disease-related and treatment-related parameters, general and personal health beliefs, as well as perception of health, can affect adherence. Our aim was to investigate the adherence to lupus-specific medications in German lupus patients and to assess influencing factors including detrimental or beneficial effects of health perceptions and beliefs.

Methods

The Lupus Erythematosus (LE) Long-Term Study (LuLa-study) is a nationwide longitudinal study among German Caucasian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have been assessed annually using a self-reported questionnaire since 2001. In 2013, we included questions concerning medical adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale; MMAS-4), beliefs about medication prescribed (BMQ), illness perception and about the patients’ health locus of control (HLC). We present a cross-sectional analysis to assess predictors of adherence using a multivariable stepwise logistic regression.

Results

Five hundred and seventy-nine patients participated, 81 of whom did not take any lupus-specific medication and 40 of whom did not complete the MMAS-4 and were therefore omitted. Only 62.7% reported high adherence. Unintentional behaviour for low medical adherence exceeded the intentional behaviour by far. The use of azathioprine (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.02–3.34), prednisone <7.5 mg (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.97–2.49), a higher age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.08) and higher external HLC (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01–1.30) proved conducive for high adherence in our multivariable model. On the contrary, the general perception of medication being harmful or addictive (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82–0.97) was detrimental.

Conclusion

A low belief that one's own health is determined by healthcare providers (external HLC) and the belief of the harmfulness of medication were independent predictors of low adherence besides age and the choice of the medical agent. The recognition of these potential obstacles in physician–patient relationships is essential to ameliorate adherence. Provision of sufficient information and education might help to reach the best possible outcome.

The Duality of Economic Issues With Medication Non-adherence in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we synthesize current data on non-adherence across inflammatory arthritides and explore (1) the effects of economic factors on non-adherence and (2) the impacts of non-adherence on economic outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent evidence demonstrates medication non-adherence rates as high as 74% in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 90% in gout, 50% in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 75% in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 82% in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effects of socioeconomic factors have been studied most in RA and SLE but with inconsistent findings. Nonetheless, the evidence points to having prescription coverage and costs of treatment as important factors in RA and education as an important factor in SLE. Limited data in AS and gout, and no studies of the effects of socioeconomic factors in PsA, show knowledge gaps for future research. Finally, there is a dearth of data with respect to the impacts of non-adherence on economic outcomes.

A systematic review of the barriers affecting medication adherence in patients with rheumatic diseases

Medication adherence is a crucial part in the management of rheumatic diseases, especially with many such patients requiring long-term medications. In this paper, we aim to systematically review the literature for the factors associated with medication adherence in the rheumatic patient population. We carried out a systematic literature search using PubMed^®, PsychInfo^® and Embase ^® with relevant keywords and employed the PRISMA^® criteria. We included English peer-reviewed articles that studied the factors affecting medication adherence in patients with rheumatic diseases, which were assessed by two independent reviewers. Hand searches were conducted and relevant factors were extracted and classified using the World Health Organization (WHO)'s five dimensions of medication adherence. A simple diagram was drawn to summarise the factors extracted. 1977 articles were identified and reviewed and 90 articles were found to be relevant. A total of 17 factors and 38 sub-factors were identified and categorized based on the WHO's five dimensions of medication adherence. A hand model for medication adherence was developed to succinctly summarise these dimension to remind clinicians the importance of medication adherence in daily practice. We conducted a systematic review on the various factors including patient, therapy, condition, health system and socioeconomic-related factors that affected medication adherence in rheumatic patients. We found 17 factors and 38 sub-factors that affected medication adherence in this population. This systematic review can facilitate future focused research in unexplored dimensions.

Treatment adherence and disease burden of individuals with rheumatic diseases admitted as outpatients to a large rheumatology center in Shanghai, China

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine treatment adherence and disease burden, analyze detailed medication problems experienced by patients, and identify factors associated with adherence in patients with rheumatic diseases in China.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with confirmed diagnoses of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were recruited, regardless of demographics, disease severity, and treatment characteristics. Adherence was assessed using the Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology and interview-based self-reports. A backwards-stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with adherence.

RESULTS

We collected data on 252 patients who had a rheumatic disease and visited our outpatient clinic in January or February of 2017. There were 121 patients with SLE, 70 with RA, and 61 with AS. The overall adherence rate was 41.7%, with 48.7% for SLE patients, 38.6% for RA patients, and 31.1% for AS patients. The overall EuroQol (EQ)-index was 0.761; AS patients had the best EQ-index (0.792), followed by those with SLE (0.780) and RA (0.700). SLE patients also had greater annual direct costs (US$5,103.58) than RA or AS patients.

CONCLUSION

Overall, 41.7% of our rheumatic disease patients were adherent to treatment, lower than in many other parts of the world. This indicates that it is important to identify methods that improve adherence in this population. It is particularly important to improve the health status and reduce the disease burden of patients with SLE, the most common of the three rheumatic diseases we analyzed. Our results suggest that reminder tools may improve adherence. Further prospective research is needed to confirm whether reminder tools and other measures can improve patient compliance.