Search

Background: As people age, they are more likely to develop multiple long-term conditions that require complicated medicine regimens. Safely self-managing multiple medicines at home is challenging and how older people can be better supported to do so has not been fully explored., Aim: This study aimed to identify interventions to improve medicine self-management for older people living at home and the aspects of medicine self-management that they address., Design: A rapid review was undertaken of publications up to April 2022. Eight databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were as follows: interventions aimed at people 65 years of age or older and their informal carers, living at home. Interventions needed to include at least one component of medicine self-management. Study protocols, conference papers, literature reviews and articles not in the English language were not included. The results from the review were reported through narrative synthesis, underpinned by the Resilient Healthcare theory., Results: Database searches returned 14,353 results. One hundred and sixty-seven articles were individually appraised (full-text screening) and 33 were included in the review. The majority of interventions identified were educational. In most cases, they aimed to improve older people's adherence and increase their knowledge of medicines. Only very few interventions addressed potential issues with medicine supply. Only a minority of interventions specifically targeted older people with either polypharmacy, multimorbidities or frailty., Conclusion: To date, the emphasis in supporting older people to manage their medicines has been on the ability to adhere to medicine regimens. Most interventions identify and target deficiencies within the patient, rather than preparing patients for problems inherent in the medicine management system. Medicine self-management requires a much wider range of skills than taking medicines as prescribed. Interventions supporting older people to anticipate and respond to problems with their medicines may reduce the risk of harm associated with polypharmacy and may contribute to increased resilience in the system., Patient or Public Contribution: A patient with lived experience of medicine self-management in older age contributed towards shaping the research question as well as the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this review. She is also the coauthor of this article. A patient advisory group oversaw the study., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: The objective of this subgroup analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of liraglutide in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated within the primary care physician (PCP) and specialist care settings., Methods: EVIDENCE is a prospective, observational study of 3152 adults with T2D recently starting or about to start liraglutide treatment in France. We followed patients in the PCP and specialist settings for 2 years to evaluate the effectiveness of liraglutide in glycemic control and body weight reduction. Furthermore, we evaluated the changes in combined antihyperglycemic treatments, the reasons for prescribing liraglutide, patient satisfaction, and safety of liraglutide in these two treatment settings., Results: After 2 years of follow-up, 477 out of 1209 (39.0%) of PCP and 297 out of 1398 (21.2%) of specialist-treated patients still used liraglutide and maintained the glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) target of <7.0%. Significant reductions from baseline were observed in both PCP- and specialist-treated cohorts in mean HbA 1c (-1.22% and -0.8%, respectively), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration (-39 and -23 mg/dL), body weight (-4.4 and -3.8 kg), and body mass index (BMI) (-1.5 and -1.4 kg/m 2 ), all p < 0.0001. Reductions in HbA 1c and FPG were significantly greater among PCP- compared with specialist-treated patients, p < 0.0001 for both. Patient treatment satisfaction was also significantly increased in both cohorts. Reported gastrointestinal adverse events were less frequent among PCP-treated patients compared with specialist-treated patients (4.5% vs. 16.1%)., Conclusion: Despite differences in demography and clinical characteristics of patients treated for T2D in PCP and specialty care, greater reduction in HbA 1c and increased glycemic control durability were observed with liraglutide in primary care, compared with specialist care. These data suggest that liraglutide treatment could benefit patients in primary care by delaying the need for further treatment intensification., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01226966., Funding: Novo Nordisk A/S.

Adherence to anti-osteoporotic regimens gradually decreases over time. We hypothesized that the determinants of non-compliance or non-persistence at different times vary and identified these differences. We used an outpatient database to retrieve information on anti-osteoporotic medications prescribed by a medical centre in southern Taiwan during 2001-2007. Compliance was defined as a medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥80 %. Persistence was determined as continuous use, allowing for a refill gap of 30 days. A multivariate Cox regression model evaluated potential predictors of non-adherence. A total of 3589 patients were included. In the multivariate analyses, non-compliance for both year 1 and year 2 was more likely in patients with non-vertebral non-hip fractures, respiratory disorders, prescription of the first anti-osteoporotic regimen by an orthopedist; and less likely in patients with follow-up bone densitometry and switched regimens. Risks for non-persistence at year 1 and year 2 were generally similar to those for non-compliance; insurance coverage and malignancy were associated with a lower risk of non-persistence at year 1 and year 2, respectively. In the subgroup with an MPR ≥80 % at year 1, an index prescription by an orthopedist was the only independent predictor of non-compliance and non-persistence at year 2. In conclusion, the positive or negative determinants of non-adherence were different at year 1 and year 2, which indicated that clinicians might deliver effective interventions to improve adherence via different precautions annually. This study also provided evidence that physician specialty had a significant effect on adherence to osteoporosis care.

Abstract Chronic diseases and pain exacerbate depressive symptom in Syria. Limited research on hospital-induced depressive symptom among Syrian patients with chronic diseases warrants further study. A cross-sectional study in four Damascus hospitals revealed high rates of pain and depressive symptom. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of chronic pain and hospital-induced depressive symptom in Syrian patients, as well as the relationship between pain, depressive symptom, and medication behavior. This study analyzes the impact of pain, hospitalization, and medication on patients with chronic diseases. The four Damascus hospitals included 453 patients from various departments. Data were collected through structured interviews and internationally recognized scales such as the PSEQ, HADS, and MMAS. These findings offer insights into pain management and psychological well-being, with implications for patient care and support strategies. The study involved 453 patients with chronic diseases, with gender distribution showing 46.6% females and 53.4% males. The age range was from 7 to 87 years, with an average of 46.87 years. Chi-square tests revealed a significant connection between gender and HADS-A scores, where 48.3% of females had abnormalities (χ2 (1, N = 453) = 7.125, p = 0.028). Marital status was significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptom levels, particularly among widowed and divorced patients. Employment status, education, and comorbidity were linked to abnormal HADS-A scores, while education level showed a positive correlation with HADS-D scores. ANOVA tests showed significant differences in MMAS scores across income groups (F (3, 449) = 3.167, p = 0.024), with a notable difference between low-income and lower-middle-income groups (mean difference = 0.389, p = 0.031. Chronic pain and HID are prevalent among Syrian patients with chronic diseases and influenced by socio-demographic factors. Personalized interventions are needed to address psychological symptoms and medication behavior.

Abstract Elderly individuals face an increased likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Self-care practices and medication adherence play crucial roles in preventing complications and adverse effects of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine self-care behaviors, medication adherence status, and related factors among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 374 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who visited educational healthcare centers in Qazvin, Iran, during 2023 (March–September). Sampling was performed using the convenience method. Data collection instruments included a demographic characteristics checklist, the summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaire, and the Morisky medication adherence scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-22 software, employing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, mean, standard deviation, univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The mean age of participants was 67.56 ± 5.93 years. In the self-care questionnaire, the highest score pertained to adherence to the diet recommended by the treating physician (3.16 ± 1.87). In contrast, the lowest scores were related to the frequency of checking inside shoes (0.17 ± 0.93) and foot examination (0.31 ± 1.07), respectively. Furthermore, results in self-care behaviors indicated that with increasing education levels, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) significantly decreased (P = 0.048). This variable was considerably higher in rural residents than in urban dwellers (P = 0.016). Additionally, the frequency of blood glucose measurements was significantly higher in urban residents than in rural inhabitants (p = 0.006). Based on the results, the mean score for medication adherence among patients was 5.53 ± 1.65. Based on our findings, the level of self-care in physical activity, SMBG, and foot care among the elderly is below average. Furthermore, medication adherence in these patients is poor. We expect that managers and policymakers take steps to reduce complications and improve these two variables by developing educational programs on self-care and emphasizing the importance of treatment adherence for these patients.

Background: Diabetes mellitus imposes vast social, health, and economic impacts on individuals and countries in the long term.Inadequate medication adherence is a major factor leading to poor and suboptimal glycemic control among patients with DM, which catalyzes the magnitude of this problem and leads to the development of diabetic-related complications. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in medicine and endocrine OPD of Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital.A convenience sampling technique was deployed using a structured interview schedule consisting of a medication adherence scale having a 4 Likert scale. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive statistics including, frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation were demonstrated by using tables and pie charts. Inferential statistics were used to find out the association between the level of adherence and selected variablesand also determinants associated with non-adherence. Results: From a total of 228 study respondents, more than half (59.65%) of them were non-adherent to their anti-diabetic medication. Glycemic control and the type of drug taken were found to be significantly associated with the level of medication adherence. Patients with tend to forgetfulness, far distance from health facilities, fear of dependency on drugs, and symptoms of hypoglycemia will likely have greater odds to be non-adhered to medications. Conclusion: Medication adherence among diabetic patients in the present study is non-adherent. Glycemic control and the type of drug taken were associated with level of adherence

Background As the aging population continues to increase, there has been a rise in the prevalence of multimorbidity in the elderly. The adherence to medication regimens by elderly patients with multimorbidity significantly impacts the effectiveness of chronic disease management. Objective This study analyses the factors that impact medication adherence among the elderly with multimorbidity in Guangdong province. This study aims to provide a foundation for the management of multimorbidity in this population. Methods A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to survey a population of 998 multimorbid patients aged 60 years and above in Guangdong province from October 2022 to March 2023. Medication adherence was the dependent variable, while patient sex, age, marital status, living conditions, education level, personal annual income, family encouragement for medication adherence, family doctor support, number of diseases, disease awareness, medication awareness, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption were considered as independent variables. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing medication adherence among elderly patients with multimorbidity in Guangdong province. Results A total of 1 000 questionnaires were distributed and 998 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid recovery rate of 99.8%. Among the 998 cases of elderly patients with multimorbidity in Guangdong province, there were 719 cases (72.0%) with good adherence to medication and 279 cases (28.0%) with poor medication adherence; there were 512 cases (51.3%) of males and 486 cases (48.7%) of females. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that: education level (high school/secondary school: OR=0.298, 95%CI=0.117-0.762; college and above: OR=0.325, 95%CI=0.127-0.831), personal annual income (>30 000 to 50 000 yuan: OR=7.694, 95%CI=2.071-28.582; >50 000 to 100 000 yuan: OR=12.408, 95%CI=3.229-47.686; >100 000 to 200 000 yuan: OR=4.893, 95%CI=1.174-20.397), and frequency of family members' supervision of medication taking (occasionally: OR=1.842, 95%CI=1.222-2.779), family doctor's help (slightly helpful: OR=2.537, 95%CI=1.531-4.205), understanding of the condition (mostly understood: OR=3.015, 95%CI=1.948-4.667; better understood: OR=3.510, 95%CI=1.955-6.300; some/no understanding: OR=3.469, 95%CI=1.338-8.994), medication concern (mostly concerned: OR=4.928, 95%CI=3.336-7.278; more concerned: OR=3.670, 95%CI=1.915-7.033; somewhat concerned/unconcerned: OR=8.560, 95%CI=2.497-29.339), BMI (too low: OR=2.303, 95%CI=1.154-4.598; overweight/obese: OR=0.598, 95%CI=0.390-0.915), and alcohol consumption (OR=1.959, 95%CI=1.270-3.022) were the influencing factors of medication adherence among elderly patients with multimorbidity in Guangdong province (P

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of illness perception and medication adherence among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on understanding how these two factors may be related. Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlation study included all adult patients with T2DM attending the Jeddah Care Centre for Diabetes and Hypertension at King Abdulaziz Hospital between January and April 2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire that elicited sociodemographic and clinical information, and the Arabic versions of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 365 patients were included (mean age: 50.9 ± 15.9 years), with the majority being female (53.4%). Overall, the level of medication adherence was moderate (mean score: 5.36 ± 1.73). Patients with lower medication adherence perceived the consequences of T2DM as more severe, had a stronger association with the illness identity, and experienced more intense emotional responses (for all, P < 0.001). Conversely, patients with higher adherence had a greater sense of personal control, a stronger belief in treatment effectiveness, and a better understanding of the illness (for all, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found a correlation between illness perception and medication adherence in patients with T2DM. Addressing patients’ perceptions may enhance their ability to manage the condition more effectively.

Background: Statins are widely prescribed for the management of hyperlipidemia and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are among the most commonly used statins, with varying impacts on lipid profiles, side effect profiles, patient adherence, and health-care costs. Understanding these differences within specific populations can inform more tailored and cost-effective treatment strategies. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in side effect management, patient outcomes, and health-care costs between atorvastatin and rosuvastatin therapies in a cohort from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted with 100 patients at the Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research, evenly split between atorvastatin (n=50) and rosuvastatin (n=50) groups. Data on demographic characteristics, side effects, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction, medication adherence, and health-care costs were collected and analyzed. Results: The cohort had an average age of 62 years, with a higher prevalence of males (57%). Socioeconomic analysis showed 30% from low-income, 50% from middle-income, and 20% from high-income backgrounds. Side effects were more common in the atorvastatin group (35%) compared to the rosuvastatin group (28%), with muscle pain and gastrointestinal issues being predominant. Rosuvastatin treatment resulted in higher adherence rates (90%) and more significant LDL cholesterol reduction but incurred higher annual health-care costs (INR 28,000) versus atorvastatin (INR 25,000) (P=0.04). Conclusion: Both statins effectively reduced LDL cholesterol; however, rosuvastatin demonstrated higher patient adherence but at an increased cost. These findings underscore the need for individualized statin therapy that considers both clinical outcomes and economic constraints, particularly in settings with limited health-care resources.

Abstract Background. The New Medicine Service (NMS) was developed in England more than ten years ago, as a three-stage consultation led by community pharmacists to support patients taking new medication for a chronic disease. In Poland, the scheme was officially introduced in January 2023. However, its implementation into common practice has been presented with various obstacles, including the need to develop relationships with general practitioners, resolve the payment structure, and provide training with adequate supporting materials. Hence, written materials have been designed for use as an optional tool for counselling patients receiving an NMS in community pharmacies. Methods. The present study evaluates the ability of these materials to inform patients about the need to adhere to anti-hypertensive medication. A group of 401 randomly-selected adult visitors to pharmacies and/or healthcare centres were surveyed; one third had hypertension in their history. Results. The structure, grammar and readability of the text achieved the required threshold of 40% according to the Plain Language Index. The designed materials effectively informed the patients about anti-hypertensive medication, reflected in an increased score in a knowledge test, and were rated positively regarding information level, comprehensibility and presentation. Conclusion. The proposed material may serve as an additional, “patient-friendly” educational tool for use as part of an NMS.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mobile app designed to improve chronic disease self-management in patients aged 40 years and older with low health literacy and who had at least one chronic health condition, and to assess the impact of delivering information at different levels of reading difficulty. A randomized controlled trial was completed at two sites. Individuals aged 40 years and older screened for low health literacy who had at least one chronic health condition were randomly assigned to a tailored information multimedia app with text at one of three grade levels. Four primary outcomes were assessed: patient activation, chronic disease self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and medication adherence. All groups showed overall increases in activation, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life, but no change in medication adherence. No between-group differences were observed. The mobile app may have been effective in increasing participants’ levels of several psychosocial variables, but this interpretation can only be advanced tentatively in light of the lack of control-experimental group differences. Reading difficulty level was not significantly related to outcomes.

Abstract Background Myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare chronic neuromuscular disorder, is characterized by progressive physical decline and requires long-term pharmacological treatment. Due to the decline of physical and social abilities, MG patients are in great need of social support, including tangible and emotional support. This study aims to examine the association between social support and medication adherence and the possible mediating effects of mental health and self-efficacy among MG patients. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide MG registry was conducted on 865 patients under oral medication treatment in China between June and July 2022. Validated scales were used to measure the respondent’s mental distress (Four-item Patient Health Questionnaire), social support (Modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale), self-efficacy for medication use (Self-efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale), and medication adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, MMAS). Results The association between social support and medication adherence and possible mediating effects of mental distress and self-efficacy were tested by structural equation model, with significant demographic and disease-related factors adjusted. The respondents showed a very low level of medication adherence (71.2% poor adherence; 1.4% high adherence; mean MMAS = 4.65). The level of social support was positively associated with medication adherence, and such association was fully mediated by two indirect pathways: through self-efficacy (β = 0.07, proportion mediated = 63.8%); and through mental distress and then self-efficacy (β = 0.01, proportion mediated = 6.7%). Conclusion Provision of social support and interventions on mental health with emphasis on improving self-efficacy for medication use may effectively improve medication adherence among MG patients.

Background: With 10 million cases around the world, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has been classified as a highly contagious disease and mostly affecting low and middle countries. Having the second highest incident cases in West Java of Indonesia, Cirebon becomes a challenging city in order to reduce the number of TB cases in the country. Aims: This study aims to identify the patients’ knowledge and treatment phases, and how the two factors encourage patients to comply with their medication. Methods : This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 91 new pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the Cirebon City Community Lung Health Centre, selected using random sampling. Not only respondent characteristics, but also data on the patients' knowledge levels, treatment phases, and medication adherence were collected using a questionnaire and medical records. To assess the relationship between these variables, the collected data was then analyzed using the Spearman Correlation test. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Commission, and informed consent was gathered from all participants. Results: This study reveals the most updated characteristics of the Tuberculosis patients at the Cirebon City Community Lung Health Center aged 15-64 years old with treatment duration ranged 1-6 months. The majority have insufficient knowledge about tuberculosis (45.1%), and 75.8% of patients adhered to their prescribed medication regimen, regardless of their knowledge level. The data indicates a significant positive correlation between knowledge level and medication adherence (p = 0.015), with 95% of patients with good knowledge adhering to treatment compared to only 34% with poor knowledge. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between adherence and treatment duration (p = 0.002), as 85% of patients who adhered to treatment did so for more than two months. Conclusion: The study shows that patients with better knowledge of tuberculosis are more likely to stick to their medication, which also leads to longer treatment durations. Given the high incidence of TB in the region, these findings suggest the need for targeted educational programs to enhance patients' understanding of TB, thereby improving adherence to treatment protocols. Received: 20 May 2024, Reviewed: 09 June 2024, Revised: 26 August 2024, Accepted: 30 August 2024.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the predictive relationship between medication adherence in light of health literacy and social support, in addition to differences in medication adherence according to different demographic characteristics. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 450 hypertensive patients visiting primary care facilities in Babil Governorate were included. A questionnaire including sociodemographic information, the Morisk medication adherence scale, the social support rating scale, and the health literacy management scale were used in this study. Data were collected and SPSS software, version 20 was used for analysis after ensuring the validity and reliability of the study tools. Results: The findings showed that social support (74.9%) and treatment adherence (75.6%) were at a low level, whereas health literacy (67.8%) was at a high level. Health literacy (β=-0.708; P=0.001) and social support (β=0.220; P=0.001) were predictive factors for medication adherence. Based on gender, marital status, educational attainment, monthly income, and the length of hypertension, the results showed statistically significant differences in the level of medication adherence (P=0.001). Discussion: Enhancing medication adherence in hypertensive patients is essential. The level of health literacy and social support directly and indirectly affect treatment adherence. Therefore, these aspects should be considered as effective interventions to improve medication adherence in this group of individuals suffering from chronic diseases.

Schizophrenia could affect the social and occupational functions of patients in the long term. Community-based mental health services and management models promote mental health by improving accessibility, acceptability, affordability, practicality and scalability. In the community management model, long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents are one of the main strategies for the treatment of schizophrenia, but there is a lack of relevant evidence. This paper systematically and comprehensively discussed the benefits of long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents in patients with schizophrenia, including effectiveness and safety, compliance, attitude to use, social function recovery and community rehabilitation. The results of this study showed that long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents can exert superior efficacy than oral drugs in the community rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients under different community management modes, not only reflected in the disease recurrence rate and readmission rate, but also in the recovery of social functioning and the reduction of accident rate and other aspects of excellent performance. However, the overall prescription rate of long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents is still low in China. The main reasons include insufficient information sharing between medical institutions and communities in primary level, low community medical services and treatment rate, low follow-up rate of patients, and less community psychiatric rehabilitation. This study can provide some references for the community treatment of schizophrenia patients in China, explore more community treatment programs, and improve the treatment effect and quality of life of schizophrenia patients in China.

Abstract Persistence is important for the success in the treatment of women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). We aimed to identify the predictors of non-persistence in women with OAB after first-line medical treatment. All consecutive women with OAB (n = 608), who underwent urodynamic studies and received first-line medical treatment (5 mg of solifenacin or 25 mg of mirabegron per day) in a referral medical center, were reviewed. Mirabegron (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.711) was associated with a higher persistence rate, compared to solifenacin. Mirabegron treatment (HR = 0.269) was less likely to switch medication; however, a high Urogenital Distress Inventory score (HR = 1.082) was more likely to switch medication. Furthermore, old age (HR = 1.050, especially for ≥ 75 years) and high voided volume (dL, HR = 1.420, especially for voided volume ≥ 250 ml) were associated with added medication at follow-up. Additionally, women with low parity (HR = 0.653, especially for parity ≤ 3) and a low Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) score (HR = 0.828, especially for IIQ-7 score ≤ 7) were associated with improvement without medication. In conclusion, mirabegron can be considered as the first frontline treatment to increase the persistence rate and decrease the rate of switched medications, compared to solifenacin. In addition, combination therapy or higher-dose monotherapy could be used as the first front-line treatment for women ≥ 75 years of age or with ≥ 250 ml of voided volume.

Abstract Background Despite the importance of medication adherence in treatment effectiveness, little is known about the association between medication non-adherence and self-inflicted violence behaviors. We aimed to assess whether medication non-adherence increased the risk of self-inflicted violence behaviors among schizophrenics in communities (hypothesis 1) and whether the dose–response relationship existed (hypothesis 2). Methods This 12-year cohort study in western China recruited 292,667 community-dwelling schizophrenics. The proportion of regular medication (PRM) was calculated by dividing the time of “regular adherence” by the total time of antipsychotic treatment during follow-up period as an indicator of medication adherence. For hypothesis 1, medication adherence was designated as a binary variable with a threshold of 0.8 (PRM); for hypothesis 2, medication adherence was specified as five-category and continuous variables, respectively. Inverse probability weighting and mixed effects Cox proportional hazards models were conducted for confounders control and survival analyses. Results One hundred eighty-five thousand eight hundred participants were eligible for the final analyses, with a mean age of 47.49 years (SD 14.55 years), of whom 53.6% were female. For hypothesis 1, the medication non-adherence group (PRM

Objective: Epilepsy is a condition characterized by sudden, recurrent epileptic seizures that occur as a result of abnormal and excessive electrical discharge in cortical neurons and are not triggered by an identifiable event. To date, no study has examined prospective memory and medication adherence in patients with focal and generalized epilepsy. This study aimed to examine medication adherence and prospective memory functions in individuals diagnosed with focal and generalized epilepsy. Methods: In this study, 51 patients diagnosed with focal and 51 with generalized epilepsy at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine Epilepsy and Sleep Center were included. In addition to the sociodemographic and clinical data forms, participants were administered the Modified Morisky Scale to evaluate medication adherence and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire to evaluate prospective memory function. Results: No difference was found between patients diagnosed with focal epilepsy and those with generalized epilepsy in prospective memory functions and medication adherence. Near-significant correlations were found between medication adherence and memory function. Conclusion: More comprehensive studies evaluating cognitive functions and other parameters related to medication adherence simultaneously are required to clarify the relationship between memory and medication adherence in epilepsy.

Abstract Background Effectively managing the coexistence of both diabetes and disability necessitates substantial effort. Whether disability onset affects adherence to type 2 diabetes medication remains unclear. This study investigated whether disability onset reduces such adherence and whether any reduction varies by disability type. Methods This study used the National Disability Registry and National Health Insurance Research Database from Taiwan to identify patients with type 2 diabetes who subsequently developed a disability from 2013 to 2020; these patients were matched with patients with type 2 diabetes without disability onset during the study period. Type 2 diabetes medication adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR). A difference-in-differences analysis was performed to determine the effect of disability onset on the MPR. Results The difference-in-differences analysis revealed that disability onset caused a reduction of 5.76% in the 1-year MPR (P < 0.001) and 13.21% in the 2-year MPR (P < 0.001). Among all disability types, organ disabilities, multiple disabilities, rare diseases, and a persistent vegetative state exhibited the largest reductions in 2-year MPR. Conclusions Policies aimed at improving medication adherence in individuals with disabilities should consider not only the specific disability type but also the distinct challenges and barriers these patients encounter in maintaining medication adherence.

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess medication adherence and demographic, clinical, and psychopathological parameters such as quality of life, depression, and anxiety levels that can affect pediatrics with Wilson’s Disease (WD). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at an outpatient clinic in Turkey among pediatric patients (2 to 18 years) with WD between November 2022 and April 2023. The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) as a subjective and Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) as an objective assessment were scored. Physical, genetic and biochemical parameters, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) for both parents and patients, Childhood Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory were also administered. Results A total of 30 pediatric outpatients who were prescribed D-penicillamine (n = 27) or trientine (n = 3) as chelators and zinc (n = 29) and pyridoxine (n = 19) as supplements were included. Proteinuria (n = 3), skin rash (n = 2), and gastrointestinal upset (n = 2) were observed. When the correlation between MARS-5 and duration of follow-up was examined, a significant negative correlation was found (p = 0.014). According to MPRs, non-adherence rates (missed doses ≥ 20%) were 29.6%, 17.2% and 5.3% for D-penicillamine, zinc and pyridoxine, respectively. PedsQL scores were higher than those of parents, with a positive correlation between them (p

Abstract Background Poor adherence to long-term medication increases the risk of morbidity and mortality and decreases the quality of life of patients with hypertension. One strategy to improve treatment adherence is to use a short text message reminder. Although evidence indicates that such programs increase medication adherence, the extent of their effectiveness and translation into clinical practice needs to be better documented. Our systematic review will collect and analyze the available evidence for clinical practice implementation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of short mobile phone text message reminders versus usual/standard care for medication adherence in patients with hypertension. Methods This review will include and summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials. Adults (age > 18 years) with hypertension. The comparator group received either the usual care or standard care. It encompasses standard medical care for patients not participating in a structured and supervised intervention program such as a telemedicine program. We will include studies that assess the effectiveness of short mobile phone text message reminders in improving medication adherence in patients with hypertension compared to usual care. We will search the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Library. We will include studies published in English. Furthermore, we will consider studies published from the inception of the database until April 20, 2024. At least two reviewers will independently conduct study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. A third reviewer will determine and resolve discrepancies. We will conduct a quality assessment using the ROBIS 2 critical appraisal checklist. At least two independent reviewers will crosscheck the data synthesis. Discussion We expect this review to provide current evidence for future studies and clinical practice concerning the impact of mobile phone text message reminders on medication adherence issues. We will publish our results in a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023391236.

Background: Medication adherence and health outcomes are influenced by multiple factors, including patient education. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to explore the impact of health education on medication adherence and various health outcomes in low-income neighborhoods. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted involving 100 participants from low-income neighborhoods, aged 18–65, who were prescribed at least one chronic medication. Participants underwent a comprehensive health education program focusing on medication adherence, potential side effects, dietary habits, and physical activity. Outcomes were measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), biometric values (e.g., blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and body mass index [BMI]), self-reported health status, hospitalization records, medication side-effects awareness, and dietary habits. Results: Post-education, there was a significant improvement in MMAS-8 scores (5.3 pre to 6.8 post, P

Background: Blood pressure control is critical for older adults because the prevalence of hypertension and resulting cardiovascular illness increases with age. Antihypertension medications are central to blood pressure treatment. However, nonadherence to antihypertension medications is high. Health technology such as smartphone apps provide an opportunity for users to manage their medication regimen and support processes related to medication-taking. Objective: We implemented a user-centered evaluation approach to develop and refine adherence feedback visualizations for the MEDSReM© medication adherence app for older adults with hypertension. Methods: We conducted a literature review and iterative usability testing to achieve this objective. We identified adherence goals, information needs, as well as design guidelines by reviewing theoretical frameworks and existing scientific evidence. We then used a two-phase iterative user-centered study and subject matter expert evaluation. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used to select and improve the current prototype and evolve to the next prototype. Results: The need for daily, weekly, and monthly adherence performance information as well as visualization formats for conveying this information was identified from the literature review. Overall, the information shown in visualization prototypes was successfully interpreted by participants. Comprehension issues of visualizations were identified and addressed from visual prototype revisions. Insights from both user and subject matter expert groups were used to select and refine the prototypes for the MEDSReM app. Conclusion: Evidence-based and user-centered approaches were effective for developing visualizations about adherence performance feedback in the MEDSReM app and provided insight into how the app can be made easy to understand and use by older adults with hypertension, which will be evaluated in future effectiveness testing.

Background: Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition requiring effective medication management for blood pressure control. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to explore the relationship between adherence to hypertension medications and its impact on blood pressure control among a diverse population. Materials and Methods: A participant cohort of 500 adults, with a mean age of 56 years, was examined for their adherence to hypertension medications and blood pressure control outcomes. Adherence was assessed through self-report questionnaires and pill count analysis, while blood pressure control was defined as systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg. The statistical analysis included logistic regression with adjustments for potential confounding variables. Results: The participant cohort displayed a balanced gender distribution and predominantly managed hypertension through multi-drug regimens. Around 65% reported high medication adherence, confirmed by pill count analysis. Notably, 55% achieved the defined blood pressure control target, indicating effective management. A robust association was observed between high adherence and improved blood pressure control (adjusted odds ratio=1.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–2.12, P

Background and purpose: Many patients fail to reach the expected results, even with the very considerable strides forward in the treatment of hypertension (HTN). They undergo serious complications after this condition remains uncontrolled. Patients' perceptions regarding the importance of Islamic self-care may be the occasion for managing chronic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Islamic self-care model on blood pressure (BP) and medication adherence (MA) among older adults living with HTN. Materials and methods: Utilizing a randomized controlled trial in 2019 in Amol City of Iran, 60 elderly patients suffering from high blood pressure were assigned to two intervention and control groups in the form of random block allocation. Then, their BP and MA were measured using a dial sphygmomanometer and Morisky questionnaire, respectively. Designed for four weeks, the intervention group participated in an HTN-management education program, putting much emphasis on proper nutrition within the framework of the Islamic self-care model and gaining divine satisfaction. Simultaneously, the control group received a similar scientific HTN management and medication adherence education program. Following the re-measurement of BP and MA in both groups, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, Chi-square, Fisher, independent-samples t-test, and analysis of covariance. Results: In the pre-intervention phase, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean BP indices and MA. At the post-intervention, results revealed a significant reduction in the average systolic blood pressure (133.125±8.95) and diastolic (78.33±61.4) of the Islamic self-care group compared to systolic blood pressure (141.33±10.16) and diastolic (82.0±4.27) in the control group (P>0.001). Also, there was a significant improvement in the MA score in the Islamic self-care group (1.07±1.01) compared to the control group (2.43±1.38) (P

Background Polypharmacy is increasingly common in the elderly. The medication compliance of polypharmacy is closely related to its therapeutic effect and safety. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand the medication compliance and its influencing factors in the elderly with polypharmacy at early stage. However, the conclusions of current studies vary greatly, and there is no clear and unified standard. Objective To systematically evaluate the current status of polypharmacy in the elderly and its influencing factors, in order to provide reference for improving medication compliance of polypharmacy in the elderly, reducing adverse reactions, and further developing individualized intervention programs. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP were searched for cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and other observational studies on the influencing factors of medication compliance of polypharmacy in the elderly from inception to March 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, evaluated the quality and extracted the data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata 17.0 and RevMan 5.3 software were used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 19 studies were included with the total sample size of 130 047 subjects, including 50 852 subjects with good medication compliance. Meta-analysis results showed that the medication compliance rate of polypharmacy in the elderly was 41%〔95%CI (34%, 47%) 〕, which was associated with age〔OR=2.62, 95%CI (1.60, 4.78), P

Ageing is associated with decreasing psychomotor skills and an increasing dependency upon others. Family bonds in modern societies are often weakened or broken, and thus the traditional primary source of support for the elderly has largely ceased to exist. Progressive multimorbidity means that elderly patients often have to adhere to multiple overlapping drug regimens, involving long-term or even indefinite medication protocols. Such chronic polypharmacy is likely to adversely affect patients’ adherence. We performed a literature review with the aim of identifying, first, the problems associated with compliance with medical directions among people 60 years of age and older and, second, the solutions to this problem now available due to modern technological advances. The gold standard of therapy in elderly patients is personally observed or directed therapy, but in practice, this is often unavailable. The phenomenon of the ageing of society challenges the healthcare system with an increasing number of community-dwelling elderly people who are in-creasingly dependent upon others, which negatively impacts their level of adherence to therapy. Considering the deepening scarcity of medical personnel and the limited availability of caregivers, only broad application of solutions based on modern technologies will be able to significantly improve patients’ compliance, and thus the effectiveness of their treatment.

Objectives This study investigated the relationship between prescribing institutions and medication adherence among patients newly diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. Methods This study investigated patients with new prescriptions for hypertension and diabetes in Korea in 2019 with using data collected from general health screenings. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to explore the relationship between patients’ first prescribing institution and their medication adherence, defined as a medication possession ratio (MPR) over 80%. Results The overall adherence rates were 53.7% and 56.0% among patients with hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 13.2% for hypertension and 13.8% for diabetes (p

Abstract Background Medication adherence has a major impact on reducing mortality and healthcare costs related to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Selecting the best patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) among the many available for this kind of patient is extremely important. This study aims to critically assess, compare and synthesize the quality of the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures to assess medication adherence among patients with cardiovascular diseases and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods This review followed the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines and was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The searches were performed in Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PsycINFO, and ProQuest (gray literature). Results A total of 110 records encompassing 27 different PROMs were included in the review. The included records were published between 1986 and 2023, most of which reported studies conducted in the United States and were published in English. None of the PROMs were classified in the category “a”, thus being recommended for use due to the quality of its measurement properties. The PROMs that should not be recommended for use (category “c”) are the MTA, GMAS, DMAS-7, MALMAS, ARMS-D, and 5-item questionnaire. The remaining PROMs, e.g., MMAS-8, SMAQ, MEDS, MNPS, ARMS-12, MGT, MTA-OA, MTA-Insulin, LMAS-14, MARS-5, A-14, ARMS-10, IADMAS, MAQ, MMAS-5, ProMAS, ARMS‐7, 3-item questionnaire, AS, 12-item questionnaire, and Mascard were considered as having the potential to be recommended for use (category “b”). Conclusion None of the included PROMs met the criteria for being classified as trusted and recommended for use for patients with cardiovascular diseases and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, 21 PROMs have the potential to be recommended for use, but further studies are needed to ensure their quality based on the COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of PROMs. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019129109

Fateme Nekooyan , Fatemeh Nazari * , Shahla Abolhasani , Mohammad Javad Tarrahi Background and Objective: Physical disability caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) increases MS patients' need for support from others. Medication adherence is one of the main success factors in the treatment of chronic diseases, which is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived social support and medication adherence in patients with MS. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 110 patients (70 women and 40 men) aged 39±9 years with MS who visited the 2 medical training centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Kashani and Al-Zahra), Isfahan, Iran during 2021. After sampling by the systematic random method, the data were collected by interviews and using Zimmet's Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Results: The mean and standard deviation of the scores of medication adherence and perceived social support were 6.10±1.72 and 62.83±14.97, respectively. According to the Pearson correlation coefficient, perceived social support did not show any significant relationship with medication adherence (r=0.185, P=0.053). Perceived social support showed a statistically significant relationship with income satisfaction (F=4.54, P=0.01), the pattern of clinical course (F=2.95, P=0.03), difficulty in accessing medical care (t=-2.29, P=0.02), and clinical symptoms, including motor (t=-3.72, P=0.001), balance (t=-3.23, P=0.002), and urinary disorders (t=-2.53, P=0.01). Conclusion: Perceived social support in patients with MS did not cause medication adherence.

(1) Background: In glaucoma patients, it is observed that intraocular pressure (IOP) in non-surgical eyes decreases during hospitalization, but detailed data have not been reported. This study aimed to examine changes in IOP in the non-surgical eyes of patients admitted for glaucoma surgery. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 487 patients (254 males, 233 females). Statistical analysis was performed separately for groups that were and were not under medication treatment. (3) Results: In non-surgical eyes, the difference in IOP between admission and discharge was −1.6 ± 4.8 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI), −2.1 to −1.2; p < 0.0001) with a significant decrease in the medication group (n = 414), while it was −0.6 ± 4.8 mmHg with no significant change observed (95% confidence interval (CI), −1.7 to 0.57; p = 0.33) in the non-medication group (n = 73). Multiple regression analysis of the medication group showed that IOP at admission (p < 0.0001) and older age (p = 0.03) were associated with the reduction or the rate of reduction in IOP. (4) Conclusions: IOP in the non-surgical eyes of patients admitted for glaucoma surgery with medication decreased during hospitalization. The reduction was more pronounced in individuals with higher IOP at admission and in older patients. It is possible that improved medication adherence contributes to the lowering of IOP.

Aims: Assessment of medication adherence in newly diagnostic and treated patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Hypertension, in the Primary Health Care Units of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Methods: This is an observational and retrospective cohort study. The population is composed of newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Hypertension, at the beginning of treatment. Data was extracted from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Regional Health Administration Information System. Medication adherence was assessed in three periods: patients started therapy or not after the professional's prescription (initiation); medication possession rate during the follow-up period (MPR) (implementation) and medication discontinuation, marks the end of therapy (discontinuation). Results: An initiation rate of 84.2% was obtained in patients with both diseases (98% for oral antidiabetic therapy and 84.6% for antihypertensive therapy). The implementation rates (MPR) for both diseases was only 3.4% (4.2% were considered adherent to oral antidiabetic therapy and 8.5% to antihypertensive therapy). The discontinuation rate was 3.4% (5.5% for oral antidiabetic therapy and 13.2% for antihypertensive therapy). Most patients initiate taking drugs after prescription but very few patients have a MPR enough to consider them having good adherence. Moreover, few patients discontinue the medication. Conclusions: Patients had a higher implementation rate to antihypertensive therapy but, on the other hand, were more persistent to the oral antidiabetic therapy. Through this new assessment, the medication adherence pattern seems to be influenced by the patient and by the disease itself.

Objective: To identify the adherence to therapeutic regimens in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach developed at an HD center in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study participants were 51 patients undergoing HD. Personal, socioeconomic, and objective data were collected, and the End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ) was applied. The analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics. Result: The average age was 56.7 years, and 58% of the patients were male. The percentages of non-adherence were diet (35.4%), hemodialysis (21.6%), fluid intake (15.7%), and medication (13.7%). Conclusion: Therapeutic adherence is a complex process that requires constant monitoring by a multidisciplinary team.

Abstract Background and Aims The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is spreading rapidly in the world, especially in developing countries, and is considered a serious health threat. This study aimed to assess the relationship of adherence antiretroviral therapy (ART) and self‐efficacy among people living with HIV. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted in March–July 2022 at the Center for Behavioral Diseases in Bandar Abbas. A total number of 208 HIV patients treated with ART entered the study after voluntarily signing an informed letter of consent. The data collection instrument was the adherence to ART questionnaire with the six subscales and the General Self‐Efficacy Scale‐17 (GSE‐17) general self‐efficacy questionnaire. Multivariate regression analysis was used to test the relationship among the variables. Results The participants' mean age was 41.7 ± 8.2 years. Self‐efficacy was positively correlated with adherence ART. With every one score of increased self‐efficacy, MA increased for 0.85 score (p

Introduction: Non-adherence to medication in HIV-positive patients leads to the occurrence of HIV-related diseases and ultimately reduces the quality of life and immune system function of these patients. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify and explain the factors that influence medication non-adherence in HIV-positive Iranian patients. Material & Methods: The present applied study was conducted in 2020-2021 using the descriptive method. First, by reviewing the research literature and interviewing experts in the field of HIV treatment, the main factors influencing medication non-adherence in HIV-positive patients were identified, based on which the research questionnaire was designed. Data were collected from 590 HIV-positive patients and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and SPSS23 and LISREL software. Findings: Four factors, namely organizational factors (16 items), individual factors (19 items), educational factors (7 items), and communication factors (7 items) were identified as effective factors for medication non-adherence in HIV-infected patients. Communication factors, individual factors, educational factors, and organizational factors with factor loadings of 0.76, 0.74, 0.73, and 0.71, respectively, had an impact on medication non-adherence in HIV-positive patients. Discussion & Conclusion: To improve medication adherence among HIV patients, behavioral disease counseling experts and therapists should pay more attention to communication factors (improving patients social support from family and friends) and individual factors (not coping with the disease state and the effects of stigma and disclosing the disease).

Highlights • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that is not appropriately handled can result in macro- or micro-complications. • Medication adherence is one of the most important efforts to do to prevent complications in chronic diseases such as T2DM. Abstract Background: Diabetes medication non-adherence can aggravate the patient's condition and raise the chance of acquiring diabetes complications such as coronary heart disease. Medication adherence can help prevent micro- and macrovascular problems. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the medication adherence of type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. Material and Method: This research used a systematic literature review for the research design, with a PRISMA chart as a guideline. Researchers searched 3 databases using predefined keywords: PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Result: The search yielded 3.373 pieces of literature, and six pieces that fit the requirements were chosen. The total number of people who responded was 9.950. More men over 60 years old who have had diabetes for more than 5 years, who are taking oral medication, insulin, or combination treatment, and who are ex-smokers were shown to have characteristics of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. Results from a systematic literature review revealed five kinds of literature with low medication adherence levels and one literature with a high medication adherence rate. Conclusion: Medication adherence differs among type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. More research, however, has revealed that the level of medication adherence in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease remains low.

Background: Due to the increasing number of elderly people in Iran, as well as chronic diseases, such as diabetes, in the elderly, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between spiritual health and hope with adherence to the medication regimens in the elderly with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in the diabetes clinic of 22 Bahman Hospital in Gonabad, Iran. The data were collected using the demographic information form, Herth Hope Index (HHI), Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well Being Scale, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) by interview method. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman coefficient in SPSS software. Findings: Most of the participants had high spiritual health, high hope, and low adherence to medication regimen. In addition, spiritual health was directly related to treatment adherence (P < 0.05); however, no relationship was found between hope and treatment adherence (P > 0.05). Conclusion: High hope in an elderly person cannot be a reason for good adherence to medication regimen, but for appropriate medication adherence, it is necessary for the elderly to have correct and sufficient information about their medication and treatment plan.

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of patients with hypertension about their condition, adherence to antihypertensive medication, and the factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two cardiology outpatient clinics of two tertiary hospitals, in Greece. The study included 188 patients diagnosed with hypertension. The patients’ knowledge about their disease and adherence to medication were assessed by using the HK-LS and A-14 scales, respectively. Patients had sufficient knowledge levels about their disease, but significantly low levels of adherence to medication. Patients with higher knowledge levels were more adherent to medications [r(188) = 0.885, p < 0.001]. By using multivariate analysis, higher age (p = 0.018), residence in a more populous area (p = 0.041), more years with the disease (p = 0.012), and a lower number of medications (p = 0.03) were associated with higher levels of knowledge. Conversely, younger age (p = 0.036), lower educational levels (p = 0.048), fewer years with the disease (p = 0.001), and a higher number of medications (p = 0.003) were associated with lower adherence to medication. The Greek patients’ hypertension knowledge was sufficient; however, adherence to medication was significantly low. Healthcare managers could utilize our findings to design targeted interventions for improving adherence to medication for these patients.

Background: To carry out a validation questionnaire that assesses beliefs about inhaled treatments in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as knowing patients’ beliefs could help to improve medication adherence and health outcomes. Methods: We evaluated data from 260 COPD patients from electronic medical record databases from five primary healthcare centers, in a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a sample size calculated for a 10-item questionnaire, with an estimated Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70 and a 95% confidence level. Study participants were selected via systematic random sampling. Variables: Ten-item Inhaled Therapy Beliefs Questionnaire, CCTI-Questionnaire v.2.0, time for completion, age, sex, educational level, spirometry severity (GOLD criteria), exacerbations (previous year), characteristics of inhaled treatment, and smoking habit. A two-year follow-up in a subsample of 77 patients from one health center was utilized. The Morisky–Green test, pharmacy dispensing data, test–retest (kappa coefficient), and an exploratory analysis of the adherence–belief relationship (ji-squared) were measured. Results: The 10-item questionnaire showed good viability (3 min completion time) when performed face-to-face or telephonically; its psychometric properties were acceptable, with an internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) score of 0.613. Three factors explained 47.58% of the total variance (p < 0.0001): use (factor 1), effects (factor 2), and objectives (factor 3) of inhalers. The two-year follow-up ultimately considered 58 out of the 77 patients (10 deceased, 4 unlocated, 2 mistakes, 2 no inhaled treatment, and 1 withdrawal). Non-adherence was 48.3% in terms of the Morisky–Green test; 31% in terms of pharmacy dispensing data; and 40.4% considering both methods. There was low test–retest reliability, indicated by items 4, 8, and 9 of the CCTI-Questionnaire (Kappa = 0.4, 0.26, and 0.34; p-value < 0.0001, 0.008, and 0.001, respectively). There was mild correlation between beliefs and adherence. Conclusions: The ten-item CCTI-Questionnaire v.2.0 demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties regarding feasibility, reliability, and content validity.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an innovative nursing approach using a smartphone application, namely “Kin Ya Kan Na” or “Let’s take Medications,” on medication adherence behaviors among patients with schizophrenia. Material and Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants (n=84). They were randomly assigned into either an experimental (n=42) or control (n=42) group. The experimental group installed this application on their smartphones and used it for one month, along with usual nursing care while the control group received only the usual nursing care. Data were collected before and after the intervention using: 1) a demographic data form, 2) the Medication Adherence Scale in Thai (MAST), and 3) a satisfaction towards application usability’ scale. These two scales yielded Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.94 and 0.86, respectively. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed for data analyses. Results: The post-intervention analysis showed that the medication adherence behaviors between the two groups were significantly different (F1,81=65.225, p-value

Background Poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs is a major cause of unsatisfactory blood pressure control. Hypertension doctors play an integral role in improving medication adherence in hypertensive patients. Although most existing studies have recognized the status quo and influencing factors of medication adherence, little attention has been paid to hypertension doctors’ awareness and practice in hypertension management. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate hypertension doctors’ awareness and practice of medication adherence in hypertensive patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey. A self-reported questionnaire was developed and sent to hypertension doctors in Hunan province, China, between May 1, 2022 and July 1, 2022. Univariate and generalized linear models were used to identify the factors influencing hypertension doctors’ awareness and practice. The correlation between awareness and practice was determined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results In total, 236 valid questionnaires were collected (valid response rate, 73.5%). Of the respondents, 44.1% were chief physicians and 64.4% were females. Approximately half of the respondents were ≥40 years old and had over 14 years of working experience. Most respondents (87.7%) did not have hypertension, but 54.2% had a family history of hypertension. The average awareness and practice scores were 29.8 ± 8.8 and 39.4 ± 7.1, respectively, out of 50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of awareness or practice. More hypertension consultations and more antihypertensive prescriptions issued were associated with better awareness and practice among respondents (ps < 0.05). Respondents with higher education and professional titles had higher awareness (ps < 0.05). Moreover, respondents with 6–13 years of work experience had better practice than those with

IntroductionHeart failure (HF) is an increasing global concern. Despite evidence-based pharmacotherapy, associated morbidity and mortality remain high. This study aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and value of the NPS MedicineWise dose reminder app in a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention to address medication non-adherence in patients with HF.MethodsThis prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial recruited 55 patients with HF between September 2019 and October 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control arms. Intervention participants used the app which prompted medication administration at each dosing interval. Control participants received standard care and remained blinded to the app throughout the study. Treatment non-adherence prompted a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention. Comparison of the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS) at baseline and 6-months measured the app's value in supporting medication adherence. Secondary outcome measures included self-reported medication knowledge, health-related quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and signs and symptoms of HF. Data were analysed using standard statistical tests with significance set at α 0.05.ResultsApproximately half of respondents reported managing HF and medications better by using the MedicineWise app (Tier 1). Most respondents expressed satisfaction with the in-app messages (Tier 2) and pharmacists' phone calls (Tier 3). The intervention participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the SEAMS between baseline and 6-months follow-up.DiscussionIt is feasible and potentially of value to use the MedicineWise app with a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention to support medication adherence in patients with HF. Our findings provide clinicians with “real-world” information on the practicality and potential value of using mobile health to support treatment adherence in patients with HF.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Clinical trial registration number: ACTRN12619000289112p (http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12619000289112p.aspx)

Abstract Background and Aim Frailty is a condition marked by accumulation of biological deficits and dysfunctions that come with aging and it is correlated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension. Hypertension continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and premature death globally. However, there is dearth of literature in sub‐Saharan Africa on frailty syndrome among hypertensives on medication. This study evaluated frailty syndrome and its associated factors among Ghanaian hypertensives. Methods This cross‐sectional study recruited 303 patients with hypertension from the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical factors were collected using a well‐structured questionnaire. Medication adherence was measured using Adherence in Chronic Disease Scale, and frailty was assessed by Tilburg Frailty Indicator. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26.0 and GraphPad prism 8.0. p‐value of

Background and Objective: The level of patient adherence to treatment and medication orders is one of the important factors influencing the effectiveness of medical treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between doctor-patient communication skills and the level of adherence to medication orders after discharge from the hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 patients admitted to the surgery and urology departments of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol, where at least 48 hours had passed since their admission. Patients completed two questionnaires of doctor-patient communication skills (range 21-70) and Burton communication skills (range 18-90) in the hospital. Then, two weeks after discharge, the patients answered the two questionnaires of general adherence and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale online or by telephone contact, and the results were analyzed. Findings: The mean age of the participating patients was 50.65±18.20 years and the score of general adherence to treatment orders was 24.26±5.77 (range 7-30) and medication adherence was 8.54±2.91 (range 1-11). 222 patients (78.2%) had high adherence to treatment orders. Stepwise regression analysis showed that doctors’ communication skills were a positive factor in medication adherence (p

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors affecting blood pressure (BP) control in adult hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 246 adult hypertensive patients of both genders, age 20 years and above were included in this descriptive study conducted at the Department of Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from May 2019 to September 2019. Statistical analysis of the data was done with SPPS version 21; Chi-square (χ2) test was applied using crosstab/correlation for the association of factors affecting the control of BP in patients with hypertension. P-value≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of 246 patients, 64 (26%) were males, and 182 (74%) were females. The mean age of patients was 56.09±10.33 years. Overall, BP was controlled in 74 (30.1%) and uncontrolled in 172 (69.9%) patients. Among the total, 107 (43.5%) patients were adherent and 139 (56.5%) were non-adherent to medications. Among the 107 adherent patients, 72 (67.3%) had controlled BP and 35 (32.7%) were uncontrolled. Among the 139 non-adherents, 134 (96.4%) had uncontrolled BP and 05 (3.6%) had controlled BP (p=0.000). Economically, 10.5% (n=4/38) of the ‘poor’ and 33.7% (n=70/208) of the ‘satisfactory’ patients had controlled BP whereas 89.5% (n=34/38) and 66.3% (n=138/208) had uncontrolled BP respectively (p=0.004). Age, gender, education level, duration, comorbidity, and a class of antihypertensive drugs did not affect the control of BP significantly (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, one-third of the study participants had controlled BP and two-thirds of the adherents had controlled BP. Good adherence to medications and economic status significantly correlated with the control of hypertension.