Osteoporosis telephonic intervention to improve medication regimen adherence: a large, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial

The Effect of Education and Monitoring via Tele-Nursing to Elderly Cancer Patients Using Oral Anticancer Agents on Self-efficacy and Medication Adherence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of the education and monitoring provided via tele-nursing to elderly cancer patients using oral anticancer agents on their medication treatment adherence self-efficacy and medication adherence.

METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 60 elderly cancer patients who presented to the oncology outpatient clinics of a medical faculty hospital in Turkey. An Elderly Information Form, the Oral Chemotherapy Adherence Scale, the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale, a Tele-nursing Evaluation Form, and a Telephone Monitoring Form were used to collect data. Patients in the intervention group were sent text messages and educational videos via WhatsApp® for the first four weeks, and after the fifth week, they were monitored by phone for eight weeks. Data collection tools were applied to the control and intervention groups at weeks 1, 8, and 12. Independent samples t-test, Repeated measurements analysis of variance chi-square test, and Pearson correlation test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In the study, while there was no significant difference between the mean scores of the intervention and control groups on the pretest application of the Oral Chemotherapy Adherence Scale and the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (p > .05), a significant difference was found between the mean posttest scores of the groups (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, it was determined that the education and monitoring provided to elderly cancer patients via tele-nursing positively affected their self-efficacy and medication adherence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

In line with the research results, it is recommended that nurses use tele-nursing applications in the care of elderly cancer patients using oral anticancer agents.

Effectiveness and Satisfaction with Telemedicine in Geriatric Patients at High Risk of Fragility Fractures

Background: Telemedicine has increasingly widespread to improve the monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. Secondary prevention of fragility fractures is an urgent matter to be addressed by means of available technology, although supported by little evidence so far. We investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and satisfaction of managing older adults at high risk of fragility fractures during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: During the period January to July 2021, a prospective observational study for safety and adherence purposes was conducted among older adults (n = 407) with ongoing treatments for secondary prevention of fragility fractures. The study procedures comply with national and regional resolutions related to telemedicine service (TS), including equipment, staff behaviors, and patient reports. Results: A majority (86.48% [n = 352]) of the eligible patients joined the remote visits, mainly women (88.2%), 81.4 ± 8.8 years of age, 49.6% independent in 5 out of 6 BADL, despite high comorbidity (4.9 ± 1.5), and polypharmacy (4.9 ± 3.1). Almost all were on second-line antifracture treatments (95.58%) due to previous major (84.03%) and minor (42.5%) fragility fractures. About 58% reported good and very good reliability of the internet network, allowing easy access to the TS platform, and 54% declared the degree of satisfaction with TS as good and very good. About 75% of clinicians acknowledged the efficacy of TS and expressed willingness to recommend the use of TS to colleagues. Ultimately, 68% of specialists defined the time allocated for patients' remote visits as acceptable. Conclusion: TS may be an opportunity to improve the availability of appropriate health care services to satisfy patients' needs and optimize health care resource allocation.

Efficacy of sustained knowledge translation (KT) interventions in chronic disease management in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of complex interventions

BACKGROUND

Chronic disease management (CDM) through sustained knowledge translation (KT) interventions ensures long-term, high-quality care. We assessed implementation of KT interventions for supporting CDM and their efficacy when sustained in older adults.

METHODS

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis engaging 17 knowledge users using integrated KT.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adults (> 65 years old) with chronic disease(s), their caregivers, health and/or policy-decision makers receiving a KT intervention to carry out a CDM intervention for at least 12 months (versus other KT interventions or usual care).

INFORMATION SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from each database's inception to March 2020.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Sustainability, fidelity, adherence of KT interventions for CDM practice, quality of life (QOL) and quality of care (QOC). Data extraction, risk of bias (ROB) assessment: We screened, abstracted and appraised articles (Effective Practice and Organisation of Care ROB tool) independently and in duplicate.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We performed both random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses and estimated mean differences (MDs) for continuous and odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data.

RESULTS

We included 158 RCTs (973,074 participants [961,745 patients, 5540 caregivers, 5789 providers]) and 39 companion reports comprising 329 KT interventions, involving patients (43.2%), healthcare providers (20.7%) or both (10.9%). We identified 16 studies described as assessing sustainability in 8.1% interventions, 67 studies as assessing adherence in 35.6% interventions and 20 studies as assessing fidelity in 8.7% of the interventions. Most meta-analyses suggested that KT interventions improved QOL, but imprecisely (36 item Short-Form mental [SF-36 mental]: MD 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] [- 1.25, 3.47], 14 RCTs, 5876 participants, I2 = 96%; European QOL-5 dimensions: MD 0.01, 95% CI [- 0.01, 0.02], 15 RCTs, 6628 participants, I2 = 25%; St George's Respiratory Questionnaire: MD - 2.12, 95% CI [- 3.72, - 0.51] 44 12 RCTs, 2893 participants, I2 = 44%). KT interventions improved QOC (OR 1.55, 95% CI [1.29, 1.85], 12 RCTS, 5271 participants, I2 = 21%).

CONCLUSIONS

KT intervention sustainability was infrequently defined and assessed. Sustained KT interventions have the potential to improve QOL and QOC in older adults with CDM. However, their overall efficacy remains uncertain and it varies by effect modifiers, including intervention type, chronic disease number, comorbidities, and participant age.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018084810.

A participatory process to design an app to improve adherence to anti-osteoporotic therapies: A development and usability study

Objective

The aim of the study was to develop an app to improve patients' adherence to therapy for osteoporosis and to test its usability.

Methods

In Phase I, the app functions needed to improve medication adherence were identified through a focus group with six patients with osteoporosis and a joint interview with two bone specialists. The app prototype was then developed (Phase II) and refined after its feasibility testing (Phase III) for 13-25 days by eight patients. Finally, the app underwent usability testing (Phase IV) for 6 months by nine other patients. The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) was used to collect the assessment of the app by the 17 patients.

Results

The final version of the app provided information on osteoporosis, allowed patients to contact the bone specialist for an additional consultation, and generated a reminder for taking medications accompanied by feedback on adherence. The assessment of the app was positive but evaluations differed between the feasibility and usability testing, with the former displaying a significantly (p ≤ .05) better assessment across all MAUQ items.

Conclusions

In this study, we tested an app for improving adherence to medical therapies in patients with osteoporosis. The usability testing revealed a lower "patient-centered" performance of the app as compared to that observed during the feasibility phase. Future developments of the study include increasing the testing cohort and adding a technical support during the usability testing.

Non-Adherence to Anti-Osteoporosis Medication: Factors Influencing and Strategies to Overcome It. A Narrative Review

To evaluate the reasons for inadequate adherence to osteoporosis therapy and to describe the strategies for improving adherence to and persistence with regular medications, we conducted a review of the literature. The primary outcome of the study was the determination of the factors adverse to the onset and maintenance of anti-osteoporosis therapies. Secondly, we focused on studies whose efforts led to finding different strategies to improve adherence and persistence. We identified a total of 26 articles. The most recurrent and significant factors identified were aging, polypharmacy, and smoking habits. Different strategies to guide patients in their osteoporosis care have been identified, such as monitoring and follow-up via telephone calls, email, and promotional meetings, and proactive care interventions such as medication monitoring, post-fracture care programs, and decision aids. Changes in the drugs regimen and dispensation are strategies tried to lead to better adherence and persistence, but also improved satisfaction of patients undergoing anti-osteoporosis treatment. Patient involvement is an important factor to increase medication persistence while using a flexible drugs regimen.

Motivational interviewing to support medication adherence in adults with chronic conditions: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of MI to support medication adherence in adults with chronic conditions.

METHODS

A systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD42020025374) was performed by searching in Pubmed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Studies were included for the following: RCTs assessing the impact of MI on medication adherence among adults with chronic diseases. Two reviewers conducted independent screening of records and full-text articles published until July 2020. Quality was assessed with the Risk of Bias 2 tool for RCTs.

RESULTS

From 1262 records identified, 54 RCTs were included. The MI interventions were delivered alone or in combination with other interventions, and varied in mode of delivery (e.g. face-to-face, phone), exposure level (duration, number of sessions), and provider characteristics (profession, training). Most interventions were developed in infectious diseases (n = 16), cardiology (n = 14), psychiatry (n = 8), and endocrinology (n = 7). Medication adherence showed significant improvement in 23 RCTs, and other clinical outcomes were improved in 19 RCTs (e.g. risky behaviors, disease symptoms).

CONCLUSIONS

MI is an approach to medication adherence support with an increasing evidence base in several clinical domains and further potential for adaptation to different settings.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In further studies, particular attention should focus on methodological issues such as the populations of patients to include - patients with suboptimal adherence, the evaluation of fidelity to the MI spirit and components, and a sound measurement of medication adherence and clinical outcomes.

Technology-Delivered Motivational Interviewing to Improve Health Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Conditions. A Systematic Review of the Literature

AIM

Provide an overview of remote Motivational Interviewing (MI) interventions for chronically-ill patients, and understand their degree of effectiveness on different health outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included studies that administered remote MI alone or in combination with other remote approaches. A narrative synthesis and two meta-analyses were performed. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. MI administration almost exclusively occurred by telephone and individual sessions. Eight studies reported treatment fidelity aspects, and four declared adopting a theoretical framework. Most targeted outcomes were therapeutic adherence, physical activity, depression, quality of life, and mortality. Risk of bias varied markedly, with the largest source resulting from selection process and intervention performance. The two meta-analyses indicated a significant effect of MI on depression (Standardized Mean Difference = -0.20, 95%CI: -0.34, -0.05, Z = 2.73, p = 0.006, I2 = 0%), and no effect of MI on glycosylated hemoglobin (Mean Difference = -0.02, 95%CI: -0.48, 0.45), p = 0.94, I2 = 84%).

CONCLUSION

Remote MI can be a promising approach for improving depression in chronic disease patients. However, studies are inconclusive due to risks of bias, heterogeneity, and lack of reporting of interventionist's training, treatment fidelity, and theoretical frameworks' use. More studies with solid designs are needed to inform clinical decision-making and research.

Effectiveness of remote care interventions: a systematic review informing the 2022 EULAR Points to Consider for remote care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

Objective

To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) on different outcomes of remote care compared with face-to-face (F2F) care, its implementation into clinical practice and to identify drivers and barriers in order to inform a task force formulating the EULAR Points to Consider for remote care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

Methods

A search strategy was developed and run in Medline (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers independently performed standardised data extraction, synthesis and risk of bias (RoB) assessment.

Results

A total of 2240 references were identified. Forty-seven of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Remote monitoring (n=35) was most frequently studied, with telephone/video calls being the most common mode of delivery (n=30). Of the 34 studies investigating outcomes of remote care, the majority addressed efficacy and user perception; 34% and 21% of them, respectively, reported a superiority of remote care as compared with F2F care. Time and cost savings were reported as major benefits, technical aspects as major drawback in the 13 studies that investigated drivers and barriers of remote care. No study addressed remote care implementation. The main limitation of the studies identified was the heterogeneity of outcomes and methods, as well as a substantial RoB (50% of studies with high RoB).

Conclusions

Remote care leads to similar or better results compared with F2F treatment concerning efficacy, safety, adherence and user perception outcomes, with the limitation of heterogeneity and considerable RoB of the available studies.

2022 EULAR points to consider for remote care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

BACKGROUND

Remote care and telehealth have the potential to expand healthcare access, and the COVID-19 pandemic has called for alternative solutions to conventional face-to-face follow-up and monitoring. However, guidance is needed on the integration of telehealth into clinical care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).

OBJECTIVE

To develop EULAR points to consider (PtC) for the development, prioritisation and implementation of telehealth for people with RMD.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary EULAR task force (TF) of 30 members from 14 European countries was established, and the EULAR standardised operating procedures for development of PtC were followed. A systematic literature review was conducted to support the TF in formulating the PtC. The level of agreement among the TF was established by anonymous online voting.

RESULTS

Four overarching principles and nine PtC were formulated. The use of telehealth should be tailored to patient's needs and preferences. The healthcare team should have adequate equipment and training and have telecommunication skills. Telehealth can be used in screening for RMD as preassessment in the referral process, for disease monitoring and regulation of medication dosages and in some non-pharmacological interventions. People with RMD should be offered training in using telehealth, and barriers should be resolved whenever possible.The level of agreement to each statement ranged from 8.5 to 9.8/10.

CONCLUSION

The PtC have identified areas where telehealth could improve quality of care and increase healthcare access. Knowing about drivers and barriers of telehealth is a prerequisite to successfully establish remote care approaches in rheumatologic clinical practice.

The Digital Way to Intercept Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis (PsO) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) are chronic, immune-mediated diseases that share common etiopathogenetic pathways. Up to 30% of PsO patient may later develop PsA. In nearly 75% of cases, skin psoriatic lesions precede arthritic symptoms, typically 10 years prior to the onset of joint symptoms, while PsO diagnosis occurring after the onset of arthritis is described only in 15% of cases. Therefore, skin involvement offers to the rheumatologist a unique opportunity to study PsA in a very early phase, having a cohort of psoriatic “risk patients” that may develop the disease and may benefit from preventive treatment. Progression from PsO to PsA is often characterized by non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms, subclinical synovio-entheseal inflammation, and occasionally asymptomatic digital swelling such as painless toe dactylitis, that frequently go unnoticed, leading to diagnostic delay. The early diagnosis of PsA is crucial for initiating a treatment prior the development of significant and permanent joint damage. With the ongoing development of pharmacological treatments, early interception of PsA has become a priority, but many obstacles have been reported in daily routine. The introduction of digital technology in rheumatology may fill the gap in the physician-patient relationship, allowing more targeted monitoring of PsO patients. Digital technology includes telemedicine, virtual visits, electronic health record, wearable technology, mobile health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Overall, this digital revolution could lead to earlier PsA diagnosis, improved follow-up and disease control as well as maximizing the referral capacity of rheumatic centers.

Protocol for the models of primary osteoporosis screening in men (MOPS) cluster randomized trial

Current guidelines recommend primary osteoporosis screening for at-risk men to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with osteoporotic fractures. However, analyses in a national Veterans Health Administration cohort of over 4,000,000 men demonstrated that primary osteoporosis screening as it is currently operationalized does not benefit most older Veterans due to inefficient targeting and low subsequent treatment and adherence rates. The overall objective of this study is to determine whether a new model of primary osteoporosis screening reduces fracture risk compared to usual care. We are conducting a pragmatic group randomized trial of 38 primary care teams assigned to usual care or a Bone Health Service (BHS) screening model in which screening and adherence activities are managed by a centralized expert team. The study will: 1) compare the impact of the BHS model on patient-level outcomes strongly associated with fracture rates (eligible proportion screened, proportion meeting treatment criteria who receive osteoporosis medications, medication adherence, and femoral neck bone mineral density); 2) quantify the impact on provider and facility-level outcomes including change in DXA volume, change in metabolic bone disease clinic volume, and PACT provider time and satisfaction; and 3) estimate the impact on health system and policy outcomes using Markov models of screening program cost per quality adjusted life year based from health system and societal perspectives.

Improvement of osteoporosis Care Organized by Nurses: ICON study - Protocol of a quasi-experimental study to assess the (cost)-effectiveness of combining a decision aid with motivational interviewing for improving medication persistence in patients with a recent fracture being treated at the fracture liaison service

Background

Given the health and economic burden of fractures related to osteoporosis, suboptimal adherence to medication and the increasing importance of shared-decision making, the Improvement of osteoporosis Care Organized by Nurses (ICON) study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of a multi-component adherence intervention (MCAI) for patients with an indication for treatment with anti–osteoporosis medication, following assessment at the Fracture Liaison Service after a recent fracture. The MCAI involves two consultations at the FLS. During the first consultation, a decision aid is will be used to involve patients in the decision of whether to start anti-osteoporosis medication. During the follow-up visit, the nurse inquires about, and stimulates, medication adherence using motivational interviewing techniques.

Methods

A quasi-experimental trial to evaluate the (cost-) effectiveness and feasibility of an MCAI, consisting of a decision aid (DA) at the first visit, combined with nurse-led adherence support using motivational interviewing during the follow-up visit, in comparison with care as usual, in improving adherence to oral anti-osteoporosis medication for patients with a recent fracture two Dutch FLS. Medication persistence, defined as the proportion of patients who are persistent at one year assuming a refill gap < 30 days, is the primary outcome. Medication adherence, decision quality, subsequent fractures and mortality are the secondary outcomes. A lifetime cost-effectiveness analysis using a model-based economic evaluation and a process evaluation will also be conducted. A sample size of 248 patients is required to show an improvement in the primary outcome with 20%. Study follow-up is at 12 months, with measurements at baseline, after four months, and at 12 months.

Discussion

We expect that the ICON-study will show that the MCAI is a (cost-)effective intervention for improving persistence with anti-osteoporosis medication and that it is feasible for implementation at the FLS.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry, part of the Dutch Cochrane Centre (Trial NL7236 (NTR7435)).

Version 1.0; 26-11-2020.

Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis During COVID-19: Systematic Review and Practical Guidance

It is acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound disruption to the delivery of healthcare services globally. This has affected the management of many long-term conditions including osteoporosis as resources are diverted to cover urgent care. Osteoporosis is a public health concern worldwide and treatment is required for the prevention of further bone loss, deterioration of skeletal micro-architecture, and fragility fractures. This review provides information on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. We also provide clinical recommendations on the adaptation of care pathways based on experience from five referral centres to ensure that patients with osteoporosis are still treated and to reduce the risk of fractures both for the individual patient and on a societal basis. We address the use of the FRAX tool for risk stratification and initiation of osteoporosis treatment and discuss the potential adaptations to treatment pathways in view of limitations on the availability of DXA. We focus on the issues surrounding initiation and maintenance of treatment for patients on parenteral therapies such as zoledronate, denosumab, teriparatide, and romosozumab during the pandemic. The design of these innovative care pathways for the management of patients with osteoporosis may also provide a platform for future improvement to osteoporosis services when routine clinical care resumes.

Osteoporosis care amidst the prolonged pandemic

As SARS-CoV-2 stunned and overtook everyone's lives, multiple daily briefings, protocols, policies and incident command committees were mobilized to provide frontline staff with the tools, supplies and infrastructure needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical resources were immediately shifted. In light of the necessity for self-isolation, telemedicine was expanded, although there has been concern than non-pandemic disorders were being ignored. Ambulatory care services such as bone densitometry and osteoporosis centered clinics came to a near halt. Progress with fracture prevention has been challenged. Despite the prolonged pandemic and the consequent sense of exhaustion, we must re-engage with chronic bone health concerns and fracture prevention. Creating triaging systems for bone mineral testing and in person visits, treating individuals designated as high risk of fracture using fracture risk assessment tools such as FRAX, maintaining telemedicine, leveraging other bone health care team members to monitor and care for osteoporotic patients, and re-engaging our primary care colleagues will remain paramount but challenging. The pandemic persists. Thus, we will summarize what we have learned about COVID-19 and bone health and provide a framework for osteoporosis diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with the extended COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to preserve bone health, with focused interventions to sustain osteoporosis screening and treatment initiation/maintenance rates.

Patient adherence with a smartphone app for patient-reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) transmitted digitally allow patients to communicate with their clinicians and track the activity of chronic diseases, such as RA. Several ePRO smartphone apps have been developed in rheumatology, yet few data have been reported regarding patient adherence. We developed a PRO app for RA and assessed adherence over 6 months.

METHODS

We developed an app to deliver daily assessments to participants (RA App v.1.0). The app was tested as part of a randomized controlled trial examining potential clinical benefits. The current analyses focus on the adherence to the ePRO app for patients randomized to receive the app. We recruited RA patients from an academic rheumatology practice in the USA. Patients randomized to receive the app received daily notifications regarding ePROs. We examined adherence to the PRO questionnaires over the 6-month study and examined factors related to adherence.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients received the app and have data included in these analyses: 63 (80.7%) were female, mean age was 55.2 years, 71% had attended college or beyond, and the mean Clinical Disease Activity Index at baseline was 9.7 (low disease activity). Median adherence to the daily questions was 79% (interquartile range 48-90%). Significant predictors of increased adherence were age ≥65 (P = 0.03) and low baseline Clinical Disease Activity Index (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

We developed and tested an ePRO app for RA over a 6-month study. Adherence to the app was strong. There was correlation between older age and better disease control and increased adherence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT02822521.

Prevention, screening, assessing and managing of non-adherent behaviour in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: systematic reviews informing the 2020 EULAR points to consider

OBJECTIVE

To analyse how non-adherence to prescribed treatments might be prevented, screened, assessed and managed in people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

METHODS

An overview of systematic reviews (SR) was performed in four bibliographic databases. Research questions focused on: (1) effective interventions or strategies, (2) associated factors, (3) impact of shared decision making and effective communication, (4) practical things to prevent non-adherence, (5) effect of non-adherence on outcome, (6) screening and assessment tools and (7) responsible healthcare providers. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using AMSTAR-2. The qualitative synthesis focused on results and on the level of evidence attained from the studies included in the reviews.

RESULTS

After reviewing 9908 titles, the overview included 38 SR on medication, 29 on non-pharmacological interventions and 28 on assessment. Content and quality of the included SR was very heterogeneous. The number of factors that may influence adherence exceed 700. Among 53 intervention studies, 54.7% showed a small statistically significant effect on adherence, and all three multicomponent interventions, including different modes of patient education and delivered by a variety of healthcare providers, showed a positive result in adherence to medication. No single assessment provided a comprehensive measure of adherence to either medication or exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underscore the complexity of non-adherence, its changing pattern and dependence on multi-level factors, the need to involve all stakeholders in all steps, the absence of a gold standard for screening and the requirement of multi-component interventions to manage it.

Methodological features of quantitative studies on medication adherence in older patients with chronic morbidity: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The growing number of chronic, multimorbid older adults encourages healthcare systems to cope with polypharmacy and non-adherence. However, methodology on how to provide effective interventions to enhance medication adherence is still object of debate.

METHODS

To describe methodological features of quantitative studies concerning older adults' medication adherence, by means of a PRISMA systematic review (Scopus, PubMed, Medline). A specific focus was devoted to theoretical models and to the ABC Taxonomy model, as stated by the EMERGE guidelines.

RESULTS

55 papers were included. Most of the studies were conducted using randomized control trials (63.6%) and focused on a single disease only (72.7%). Most of the interventions were provided by a single professional figure (70.9%). Medication adherence was mainly evaluated by means of questionnaires (61.8%) and by clinical records (30.9%). Sixteen studies considered a theoretical model in the intervention framework. The Initiation phase (ABC Taxonomy) was the most neglected.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies upon medication adherence should account real-life challenges such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy and interdisciplinarity, analyzing adherence as a complex, holistic process.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Theoretical models may be useful to enhance the soundness of the results, to ease their comparability, to calibrate tailored strategies and to plan patient-centered interventions.

Identifying and managing osteoporosis before and after COVID-19: rise of the remote consultation?

The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing methods of healthcare delivery. In this short review, we discuss the evidence for remote healthcare delivery in the context of osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the lives of people living with, and at risk of, osteoporosis and those caring for them. With osteoporosis outpatient and Fracture Liaison Services on pause, healthcare organisations have already moved to delivering new and follow-up consultations remotely, where staffing permits, by telephone or video.

METHODS

In this review, we consider different models of remote care delivery, the evidence for their use, and the possible implications of COVID-19 on osteoporosis services.

RESULTS

Telemedicine is a global term used to describe any use of telecommunication systems to deliver healthcare from a distance and encompasses a range of different scenarios from remote clinical data transfer to remote clinician-patient interactions. Across a range of conditions and contexts, there remains unclear evidence on the acceptability of telemedicine and the effect on healthcare costs. Within the context of osteoporosis management, there is some limited evidence to suggest telemedicine approaches are acceptable to patients but unclear evidence on whether telemedicine approaches support informed drug adherence. Gaps in the evidence pertain to the acceptability and benefits of using telemedicine in populations with hearing, cognitive, or visual impairments and in those with limited health literacy.

CONCLUSION

There is an urgent need for further health service evaluation and research to address the impact of remote healthcare delivery during COVID-19 outbreak on patient care, and in the longer term, to identify acceptability and cost- and clinical-effectiveness of remote care delivery on outcomes of relevance to people living with osteoporosis.

Interventions to improve adherence to anti-osteoporosis medications: an updated systematic review

An earlier systematic review on interventions to improve adherence and persistence was updated. Fifteen studies investigating the effectiveness of patient education, drug regimen, monitoring and supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration as a single or multi-component intervention were appraised. Multicomponent interventions with active patient involvement were more effective.

INTRODUCTION

This study was conducted to update a systematic literature review on interventions to improve adherence to anti-osteoporosis medications.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was carried out in Medline (using PubMed), Embase (using Ovid), Cochrane Library, Current Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov , NHS Centre for Review and Dissemination, CINHAL, and PsycINFO to search for original studies that assessed interventions to improve adherence (comprising initiation, implementation, and discontinuation) and persistence to anti-osteoporosis medications among patients with osteoporosis, published between July 2012 and December 2018. Quality of included studies was assessed.

RESULTS

Of 585 studies initially identified, 15 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria of which 12 were randomized controlled trials. Interventions were classified as (1) patient education (n = 9), (2) drug regimen (n = 3), (3) monitoring and supervision (n = 2), and (4) interdisciplinary collaboration (n = 1). In most subtypes of interventions, mixed results on adherence (and persistence) were found. Multicomponent interventions based on patient education and counseling were the most effective interventions when aiming to increase adherence and/or persistence to osteoporosis medications.

CONCLUSION

This updated review suggests that patient education, monitoring and supervision, change in drug regimen, and interdisciplinary collaboration have mixed results on medication adherence and persistence, with more positive effects for multicomponent interventions with active patient involvement. Compared with the previous review, a shift towards more patient involvement, counseling and shared decision-making, was seen, suggesting that individualized solutions, based on collaboration between the patient and the healthcare provider, are needed to improve adherence and persistence to osteoporosis medications.

Evaluating Success Factors of a Medication Adherence Tracker Pilot Program in Improving Part D Medication Adherence Metrics in a Medicare Advantage Plan: Importance of Provider Engagement

BACKGROUND

Health plans and providers can increase quality by improving adherence to chronic disease medications included in star ratings among Medicare Advantage Part D (MAPD) plan enrollees. Research is needed to evaluate effective means of collaboration between health plans and providers. The Medication Adherence Tracker (MAT) is a health plan initiative to help primary care providers use outreach to improve their patients' adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the contribution of structural and process factors on the success of a health plan-initiated tracking system in improving chronic disease medication adherence over 6 months.

METHODS

The MAT quality improvement initiative was carried out in South Texas from June to December 2016. Health plan pharmacists used claims data to identify MAPD enrollees at risk of nonadherence to triple-weighted star medications: renin-angiotensin system antagonists, oral diabetes medications, and statins. Actionable reports were delivered biweekly to each provider, either by fax or in person, by embedded health plan nurses. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical factors as well as the role of provider outreach in increasing paid pharmacy claims and medication adherence as measured by proportion of days covered (PDC) > 0.8.

RESULTS

Of 3,542 patients in 5 Texas physician-organized delivery system groups whose 67 providers received tracking reports from June through December 2016, 1,901 (54%) patients had more than 1 related prescription, and 3,064 (87%) received provider outreach on at least 1 prescription. 2,493 (70%) had at least 1 paid pharmacy claim. Provider outreach was associated with greater likelihood of paid prescription claims (relative risk [RR] = 4.59, 95% CI = 3.74-5.62) and greater year-end adherence (PDC > 0.8, RR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.63-2.12) in multivariable predictive models. 95% CIs for age, gender, low-income subsidy eligibility, and number of prescriptions did not exclude the null value.

CONCLUSIONS

Provider engagement is critical to effective health plan-provider partnerships to overcome barriers, change behavior, and improve chronic disease care quality and population outcomes.

DISCLOSURES

This study was funded by Cigna. The manuscript was prepared as a work for hire. Hong, Esse, Gallardo, Serna, Fosshat, and Mamvou are employees of CareAllies, a Cigna company. Bruce was employed by Cigna at the time of the study. Vadhariya reports a past internship at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, unrelated to this work. Abughosh reports grants from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, and BMS/Pfizer, unrelated to this work.

Assessment of a medication management program targeting hypertension and diabetes patients: Impact on medication adherence

BACKGROUND

The National Health Insurance Service in South Korea has conducted a telephone outreach program to improve medication adherence for hypertension and diabetes patients since 2014.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the direct outcomes of the program.

METHODS

Patients were identified among those who visited an outpatient clinic at least twice or used an inpatient service at least once for hypertension or diabetes during 6-month intervals and who were nonadherent based on the proportion of days covered (PDC) calculated. As a preliminary intervention, participants were mailed an information leaflet on their own medication adherence and other tips for effective self-management of chronic diseases. For the intervention, two phone calls and three phone messages were made to patients by 24 participating regional offices. Ultimately, 2,428 hypertension patients and 884 diabetes patients received the intervention. Propensity matching was used based on age, sex, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index to select 12,140 hypertension and 4,420 diabetes patients as controls in the non-participating regions. The outcome was PDC. Multivariate ordinary least squares or logistic regression analysis were used with difference-in-difference specification.

RESULTS

The adjusted quarterly PDC increased by 1.96%p for hypertension (p = 0.023) and by 7.79%p for diabetes patients (p < 0.001). Approximately 40.6% and 51.7% of hypertension and diabetes patients in the treatment arm (p = 0.0069) became adherent after the intervention, whereas the corresponding proportions were 37.7% and 41.4% (p < 0.001) in the control group. Both treatment groups showed a higher likelihood of good medication adherence (hypertension: odds ratio = 1.157, 95% CI [1.058, 1.265]; diabetes: odds ratio = 1.532, 95% CI [1.323, 1.774]). The control group, who received only a print intervention with a mailed leaflet, also showed a dramatic increase in medication adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

An insurer-coordinated telephone-administered program resulted in improvement of medication adherence among patients with hypertension and diabetes.

The effect of motivational interviewing on attitude and practice about type of delivery in primigravid women requesting elective cesarean section referring to comprehensive health services centers

BACKGROUND

Negative attitudes toward vaginal delivery are an important reason for pregnant women to undergo a cesarean section. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the effect of motivational interviewing on attitude and choice of primigravida women on type of delivery in requesting elective cesarean section.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single-blind clinical trial, 120 primigravida women in 28-31 weeks of gestation with normal pregnancy determined by a multistage sampling were randomly chosen from ten health centers of Zahedan city in 2019 and were divided into two groups. Motivational interviewing was performed in four sessions within 90 min in the experimental group, and the control group received routine care service. Attitude (before and 1 month after the intervention) and performance (after delivery) were evaluated using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using different proportions, paired t-test, independent t-test, covariance analysis, and Shapiro-Wilk and the Chi-square methods.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the attitude of participants between the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.001). The mean difference of pre- and posttest was significant in relation to attitude scores in the two groups (P = 0.001), and the difference between the two groups was also statistically significant between the two groups in terms of delivery type (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that motivational interviewing can be a useful tool to change the attitude and decrease the rate of unnecessary cesarean among pregnant women. It is recommended to examine the impact of this method on women from different societies who have various educational backgrounds and cultures.

Scope of Outcomes in Trials and Observational Studies of Interventions Targeting Medication Adherence in Rheumatic Conditions: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Nonadherence to medications is common in rheumatic conditions and associated with increased morbidity. Heterogeneous outcome reporting by researchers compromises the synthesis of evidence of interventions targeting adherence. We aimed to assess the scope of outcomes in interventional studies of medication adherence.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases to February 2019 for published randomized controlled trials and observational studies of interventions with the primary outcome of medication adherence including adults with any rheumatic condition, written in English. We extracted and analyzed all outcome domains and adherence measures with prespecified extraction and analysis protocols.

RESULTS

Overall, 53 studies reported 71 outcome domains classified into adherence (1 domain), health outcomes (38 domains), and adherence-related factors (e.g., medication knowledge; 32 domains). We subdivided adherence into 3 phases: initiation (n = 13 studies, 25%), implementation (n = 32, 60%), persistence (n = 27, 51%), and phase unclear (n = 20, 38%). Thirty-seven different instruments reported adherence in 115 unique ways (this includes different adherence definitions and calculations, metric, and method of aggregation). Forty-one studies (77%) reported health outcomes. The most frequently reported were medication adverse events (n = 24, 45%), disease activity (n = 11, 21%), bone turnover markers/physical function/quality of life (each n = 10, 19%). Thirty-three studies (62%) reported adherence-related factors. The most frequently reported were medication beliefs (n = 8, 15%), illness perception/medication satisfaction/satisfaction with medication information (each n = 5, 9%), condition knowledge/medication knowledge/trust in doctor (each n = 3, 6%).

CONCLUSION

The outcome domains and adherence measures in interventional studies targeting adherence are heterogeneous. Consensus on relevant outcomes will improve the comparison of different strategies to support medication adherence in rheumatology.

Quality Measures and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Osteoporosis-an Update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aims of this review are to summarize current performance for osteoporosis quality measures used by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) for pay-for-performance programs and to describe recent quality improvement strategies around these measures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information (HEDIS) quality measures for the managed care population indicate gradual improvement in osteoporosis screening, osteoporosis identification and treatment following fragility fracture, and documentation of fall risk assessment and plan of care between 2006 and 2016. However, population-based studies suggest achievement for these process measures is lower where reporting is not mandated. Performance gaps remain, particularly for post-fracture care. Elderly patients with increased comorbidity are especially vulnerable to fractures, yet underperformance is documented in this population. Gender and racial disparities also exist. As has been shown for other areas of health care, education alone has a limited role as a quality improvement intervention. Multifactorial and systems-based interventions seem to be most successful in leading to measurable change for osteoporosis care and fall prevention. Despite increasing recognition of evidence-based quality measures for osteoporosis and incentives to improve upon performance for these measures, persistent gaps in care exist that will require further investigation into sustainable and value-adding quality improvement interventions.

Understanding Patients' Perspectives and Educational Needs by Type of Osteoporosis in Men and Women and People with Glucocorticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis: A Qualitative Study to Improve Disease Management

The aim of the study was to investigate similarities and differences in health beliefs, experiences and educational needs by type of osteoporosis (OP), particularly in people with glucocorticoid-induced OP (GIOP) and men. A qualitative study was conducted via focus groups involving post-menopausal women with or without osteoporotic fractures, osteoporotic men and people with GIOP. Fifty-three participants were included in eight groups. A wide range of health beliefs was found for all types of OP. Osteoporosis was considered a natural consequence of ageing except in men or conversely a serious disease associated with risk of new fractures and disability. GIOP patients had heterogeneous knowledge of OP and reported fewer prevention behaviours, and their quality of life was affected by the causal illness. Men had difficulties coping with the loss of their functional abilities and felt that OP was a "women's" disease. Beliefs about treatments ranged from confidence to fear of adverse effects or doubt about efficacy in all types of OP. Participants were interested in physical activity, fall prevention and diet, and preferred group sessions. GIOP patients and men had an interest in face-to-face education. Men were also interested in brief information including via the Internet. Patients' beliefs about OP differed by type of OP. Specific populations such as men or people with GIOP need particular care owing to experiences and needs. Offering group sessions in educational interventions is of interest to allow for sharing experiences and also face-to-face education for men and GIOP patients or the Internet for men.

Determinants, consequences and potential solutions to poor adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatment: results of an expert group meeting organized by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

Many patients at increased risk of fractures do not take their medication appropriately, resulting in a substantial decrease in the benefits of drug therapy. Improving medication adherence is urgently needed but remains laborious, given the numerous and multidimensional reasons for non-adherence, suggesting the need for measurement-guided, multifactorial and individualized solutions.

INTRODUCTION

Poor adherence to medications is a major challenge in the treatment of osteoporosis. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the consequences, determinants and potential solutions to poor adherence and persistence to osteoporosis medication.

METHODS

A working group was organized by the European Society on Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal diseases (ESCEO) to review consequences, determinants and potential solutions to adherence and to make recommendations for practice and further research. A systematic literature review and a face-to-face experts meeting were undertaken.

RESULTS

Medication non-adherence is associated with increased risk of fractures, leading to a substantial decrease in the clinical and economic benefits of drug therapy. Reasons for non-adherence are numerous and multidimensional for each patient, depending on the interplay of multiple factors, suggesting the need for multifactorial and individualized solutions. Few interventions have been shown to improve adherence or persistence to osteoporosis treatment. Promising actions include patient education with counselling, adherence monitoring with feedback and dose simplification including flexible dosing regimen. Recommendations for practice and further research were also provided. To adequately manage adherence, it is important to (1) understand the problem (initiation, implementation and/or persistence), (2) to measure adherence and (3) to identify the reason of non-adherence and fix it.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations are intended for clinicians to manage adherence of their patients and to researchers and policy makers to design, facilitate and appropriately use adherence interventions.

Making medications stick: improving medication adherence by highlighting the personal health costs of non-compliance

Poor compliance of prescription medication is an ongoing public health crisis. Nearly half of patients do not take their medication as prescribed, harming their own health while also increasing public health care costs. Despite these detrimental consequences, prior research has struggled to establish cost-effective and scalable interventions to improve adherence rates. We suggest that one reason for the limited success of prior interventions is that they make the personal health costs of non-adherence insufficiently prominent, while a higher saliency of these costs may motivate patients to adhere more. In the current research, we test whether an intervention that makes the personal health costs of non-compliance more salient for patients will increase their medication adherence. To do so, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with 16,191 patients across 278 UK pharmacies over a 9-month time period and manipulated the perceived consequences of medication non-adherence. We find that patients who received a treatment highlighting the personal health costs of non-compliance were significantly more likely to adhere to their medication than three comparison groups (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval = 1.37–2.47). Shifting patients’ focus to the personal health costs of non-compliance may thus offer a potentially cost-effective and scalable approach to improving medication adherence.

Effectiveness of mailed letters to improve medication adherence among Medicare Advantage Plan participants with chronic conditions

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence is associated with improved health outcomes in multiple chronic diseases. Information is needed on the effectiveness of specific adherence interventions. This study's objectives were to quantify effects of a targeted mailing intervention on adherence among older adults at risk for nonadherence, and to examine associations of individual and plan characteristics with adherence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among adults enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage from May 2014 to June 2015, those identified as eligible for the mailing intervention had a late refill for oral antidiabetic medication, statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or angiotensin receptor blocker medication and were previously unreachable by telephone. Pharmacy claims data were analyzed with the outcome of 6-month proportion of days covered (PDC) before and after the mailing. The t-test and chi-square analyses were used to evaluate univariate associations. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were conducted to assess relative covariate effects. A sub-analysis of those with at least one medication fill post-mailing was also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 460 non-adherent individuals aged 70±10.5 years, with 50.2% female and 66.7% white individuals, were included. Of those who were mailed a letter, 24.1% became adherent to the specified maintenance medication. Those who received >30-day supplies were more than twice as likely to become adherent after the mailed letter than those who received 30-day supplies or less (P<0.05). Baseline higher PDC was also associated with greater adherence post-mailing (P<0.01). A total of 284 (61.7%) individuals filled their medication at least once after the mailed letter; of those, 39.1% became adherent (mean [SD] change in PDC =0.15 [±0.28]).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a single mailed letter improved medication adherence by 24.1% in adults with chronic conditions. As a health plan seeking to improve its customers' well-being and outcomes, Cigna continues to utilize targeted mail interventions to improve medication adherence.

Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Among adults with chronic illness, 30% to 50% of medications are not taken as prescribed. In the United States, it is estimated that medication nonadherence is associated with 125 000 deaths, 10% of hospitalizations, and $100 billion in health care services annually.

OBSERVATIONS

PubMed was searched from January 1, 2000, to September 6, 2018, for English-language randomized clinical trials of interventions to improve medication adherence. Trials of patients younger than 18 years, trials that used self-report as the primary adherence outcome, and trials with follow-up periods less than 6 months were excluded; 49 trials were included. The most common methods of identifying patients at risk for nonadherence were patient self-report, electronic drug monitors (pill bottles), or pharmacy claims data to measure gaps in supply. Patient self-report is the most practical method of identifying nonadherent patients in the context of clinical care but may overestimate adherence compared with objective methods such as electronic drug monitors and pharmacy claims data. Six categories of interventions, and characteristics of successful interventions within each category, were identified: patient education (eg, recurrent and personalized telephone counseling sessions with health educators); medication regimen management (using combination pills to reduce the number of pills patients take daily); clinical pharmacist consultation for chronic disease co-management (including education, increased frequency of disease monitoring via telephone or in-person follow-up visits, and refill reminders); cognitive behavioral therapies (such as motivational interviewing by trained counselors); medication-taking reminders (such as refill reminder calls or use of electronic drug monitors for real-time monitoring and reminding); and incentives to promote adherence (such as reducing co-payments and paying patients and clinicians for achieving disease management goals). The choice of intervention to promote adherence will depend on feasibility and availability within a practice or health system. Successful interventions that are also clinically practical include using combination pills to reduce daily pill burden, clinical pharmacist consultation for disease co-management, and medication-taking reminders such as telephone calls to prompt refills (maximum observed absolute improvements in adherence of 10%, 15%, and 33%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Adherence can be assessed and improved within the context of usual clinical care, but more intensive and costly interventions that have demonstrated success will require additional investments by health systems.

Moving from the Trial to the Real World: Improving Medication Adherence Using Insights of Implementation Science

Medication nonadherence is a serious public health concern. Although there are promising interventions that improve medication adherence, most interventions are developed and tested in tightly controlled research environments that are dissimilar from the real-world settings where the majority of patients receive health care. Implementation science methods have the potential to facilitate and accelerate the translation shift from the trial world to the real world. We demonstrate their potential by reviewing published, high-quality medication adherence studies that could potentially be translated into clinical practice yet lack essential implementation science building blocks. We further illustrate this point by describing an adherence study that demonstrates how implementation science creates a junction between research and real-world settings. This article is a call to action for researchers, clinicians, policy makers, pharmaceutical companies, and others involved in the delivery of care to adopt the implementation science paradigm in the scale-up of adherence (research) programs.

Community clinicians' views about patient adherence to osteoporosis medication

Anecdotal and research evidence suggests that poor adherence and persistence with oral bisphosphonates can result in patients being at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Several interventions have been researched for their effectiveness with adherence and persistence, but the most effective method of supporting patients with oral bisphosphonate medications is clinician reviews, generally identified as doctors and nurses. This service evaluation aimed to explore the knowledge and views of multidisciplinary community-based clinicians about adherence and persistence with oral bisphosphonates. The results indicated a positive attitude to a multidisciplinary approach supporting patients to take their medication as prescribed, with recommendations for future research.

Improving drug adherence in osteoporosis: an update on more recent studies

Similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, osteoporosis has struggled with suboptimal medication adherence, resulting in an increased risk of fractures and all-cause mortality. The goal of this narrative review was to summarize interventions to improve medication adherence in osteoporosis. Because past reviews of this topic covered published literature through 2013, we conducted our literature search to include the period between January 2012 and November 2017. We identified 10 studies evaluating healthcare system and patient interventions aimed at improving osteoporosis treatment adherence, including three fracture liaison service (FLS) programs, one pharmacist-delivered counseling program, and six patient-directed interventions consisting of three coaching or counseling programs and three interventions using reminder prompts. Four out of the six patient-directed interventions did not lead to significant improvements in outcomes, suggesting that patient-directed interventions may have limited success in this setting. The healthcare system interventions that evaluated FLS programs and pharmacist-directed tailored counseling were effective at improving medication adherence; however, the studies were not randomized, they were costly, resource intensive and effective in countries with more centralized healthcare, possibly limiting their generalizability. In conclusion, while healthcare system interventions such as FLS, and pharmacist-delivered counseling appeared to be successful in improving osteoporosis medication adherence in some settings, behavioral interventions including patient counseling and reminder prompts for medication utilization were not, perhaps due to patient perceptions regarding osteoporosis consequences and need for treatment. Thus, these patient attributes may define patients 'at high risk' for poor adherence and developing intervention approaches to enhance patient knowledge and understanding of osteoporosis and its consequences may improve the perception of the need for treatment, optimize osteoporosis care and thereby improve overall outcomes of patients with osteoporosis. We hope that the knowledge gained through our review will help inform the design of further programs aimed at optimizing osteoporosis care.

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing interventions on medication adherence in adults with chronic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Medication adherence is frequently suboptimal in adults with chronic diseases, resulting in negative consequences. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversational style for strengthening a person's motivation and commitment to change. We aimed to assess whether MI interventions are effective to enhance medication adherence in adults with chronic diseases and to explore the effect of individual MI intervention characteristics.

Methods

We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed MI intervention effectiveness on medication adherence in adults with chronic diseases. A random-effects model was used to estimate a pooled MI intervention effect size and its heterogeneity (I 2 ). We also explored the effects of individual MI characteristics on MI intervention effect size using a meta-regression with linear mixed model.

Results

: Nineteen RCTs were identified, and 16 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled MI intervention effect size was 0.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.05, 0.20), I 2 = 1%]. Interventions that were based on MI only [β = 0.183, 95% CI = (0.004, 0.362)] or those in which interventionists were coached during intervention implementation [β = 0.465, 95% CI = (0.028, 0.902)] were the most effective. MI interventions that were delivered solely face to face were more effective than those that were delivered solely by phone [β = 0.270, 95% CI = (0.041, 0.498)].

Conclusions

This synthesis of RCTs suggests that MI interventions might be effective at enhancing of medication adherence in adults treated for chronic diseases. Further research is however warranted, as the observed intervention effect size was small.

A dedicated Fracture Liaison Service telephone program and use of bone turnover markers for evaluating 1-year persistence with oral bisphosphonates

Telephone call intervention did not improve alendronate persistence in Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) patients in this study. A bone turnover marker cut-off point for alendronate persistence is proposed for individual FLS patients.

INTRODUCTION

FLS aims to prevent subsequent fractures, which should include improving patients' persistence with prescribed oral bisphosphonates. We studied the influence of telephone calls and the predictive value of changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs) for evaluating persistence with alendronate.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women with a recent fracture and osteoporosis who started alendronate were randomized to receive three phone calls (PC) (after 1, 4, and 12 months) or no phone calls (no PC). s-CTX and P1NP were measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. As a reference group, 30 postmenopausal osteopenic patients with a recent fracture were analyzed as well. Persistence was assessed using the Dutch National Switch Point Pharmacies-GPs database and cross-referenced with PC, no PC, and BTM changes. Cut-off values of BTMs were calculated based on least significant change (LSC) and also on underrunning median values of the untreated osteopenic postmenopausal reference group with a recent fracture.

RESULTS

Out of 119 patients, 93 (78%) completed 12 months follow-up (45 PC and 48 no PC). Mean age was 69 years. Persistence was similar in PC and no PC participants. The cut-off value > 29% (< 415 ng/L) as LSC of s-CTX and > 36% (< 53.1 μg/L) as LSC of P1NP was determined optimally showing alendronate persistence after 1 year (being 93 and 88%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In this context, telephone calls did not improve persistence. In around 90% of patients, 1-year alendronate persistence was confirmed by achieving LSC of s-CTX and of P1NP at 12 months.

Treatment Fidelity of a Nurse-Led Motivational Interviewing-Based Pre-Treatment in Pain Rehabilitation

Treatment fidelity and proficiency of a nurse-led motivational interviewing (MI)-based pre-treatment and control condition was evaluated. A random sample was scored by means of the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) scale, and a second rater was in charge. MI fidelity was satisfactory for three out of five ratings. Most mean ratings were higher in the MI-based intervention, but differences were not statistically significant. The threshold for beginning MI proficiency was only exceeded for one score and one additional measure. In general, higher levels of fidelity in the intervention condition confirmed that MI was partially applied there. Although the quality of MI delivery as well as mixed inter-rater reliabilities of the fidelity scores leaves room for improvement, robust findings between the two raters were found. These results suggest the need for rigor selection of MI counselors on beforehand, and continuous supervision. Furthermore, fidelity check in studies using MI is needed.

Expressed information needs of patients with osteoporosis and/or fragility fractures: a systematic review

This systematic review identified patients have unmet information needs about the nature of osteoporosis, medication, self-management and follow-up. Clinician knowledge and attitudes appear to be of key importance in determining whether these needs are met. Unmet information needs appear to have psychosocial consequences and result in poor treatment adherence.

PURPOSE

Patient education is an integral component of the management of osteoporosis, yet patients are dissatisfied with the information they receive and see this as an area of research priority. This study aimed to describe and summarise the specific expressed information needs of patients in previously published qualitative research.

METHODS

Using terms relating to osteoporosis, fragility fracture and information needs, seven databases were searched. Articles were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Full-text articles selected for inclusion underwent data extraction and quality appraisal. Findings were drawn together using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

The search identified 11,024 articles. Sixteen empirical studies were included in the review. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes relating to specific information needs, factors influencing whether information needs are met and the impact of unmet information needs. Specific information needs identified included the following: the nature of osteoporosis/fracture risk; medication; self-management and understanding the role of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and follow-up. Perceived physician knowledge and attitudes, and the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of patients were important factors in influencing whether information needs were met, in addition to contextual factors and the format of educational resources. Failure to elicit and address information needs appears to be associated with poor treatment adherence, deterioration of the doctor-patient relationship and important psychosocial consequences.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to describe the information needs of patients with osteoporosis and fracture, the impact of this information gap and possible solutions. Further research is needed to co-design and evaluate educational interventions with patients.

Complex interventions can increase osteoporosis investigations and treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Osteoporosis is affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Despite available guidelines, care for these patients remains sub-optimal. We developed an osteoporosis tool to address the multiple dimensions of chronic disease management. Findings from its evaluation showed a significant increase from baseline in osteoporosis investigations and treatment, so we are revising this tool to include multiple chronic conditions including an update of evidence about osteoporosis. Our objectives were to conduct a systematic review of osteoporosis interventions in adults at risk for osteoporosis. We searched bibliometric databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in any language evaluating osteoporosis disease management interventions in adults at risk for osteoporosis. Reviewer pairs independently screened citations and full-text articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Analysis included random effects meta-analysis. Primary outcomes were osteoporosis investigations and treatment, and fragility fractures. Fifty-five RCTs and one companion report were included in the analysis representing 165,703 patients. Our findings from 55 RCTs and 18 sub-group meta-analyses showed that complex implementation interventions with multiple components consisting of at least education + feedback + follow-up significantly increased the initiation of osteoporosis medications, and interventions with at least education + follow-up significantly increased the initiation of osteoporosis investigations. No significant impact was found for any type of intervention to reduce fracture. Complex interventions that include at least education + follow-up or feedback have the most potential for increasing osteoporosis investigations and treatment. Patient education appears to be an important component in osteoporosis disease management.

Improving bone health in men with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy: Results of a randomized phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Strategies to improve bone health care in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are not consistently implemented. The authors conducted a phase 2 randomized controlled trial of 2 education-based models-of-care interventions to determine their feasibility and ability to improve bone health care.

METHODS

A single-center parallel-group randomized controlled trial of men with prostate cancer who were receiving ADT was performed. Participants were randomized 1:1:1 to 1) a patient bone health pamphlet and brief recommendations for their family physician (BHP+FP); 2) a BHP and support from a bone health care coordinator (BHP+BHCC); or 3) usual care. The primary efficacy outcome was receipt of a bone mineral density (BMD) test within 6 months. Secondary efficacy outcomes included guideline-appropriate calcium and vitamin D use and bisphosphonate prescriptions for men at high fracture risk. Feasibility endpoints included recruitment, retention, satisfaction, contamination, and outcome capture. The main analysis used logistic regression with a 1-sided P of .10. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT02043236).

RESULTS

A total of 119 men were recruited. The BHP+BHCC strategy was associated with a greater percentage of men undergoing a BMD test compared with the usual-care group (78% vs 36%; P<.001). BMD ordering also was found to be increased with the BHP+FP strategy (58% vs 36%; P = .047). Both strategies were associated with higher percentages of patients using calcium and vitamin D, but only the BHP+FP arm was statistically significant (P = .039). No men were detected to be at high fracture risk. All but one feasibility endpoint was met.

CONCLUSIONS

Educational strategies to improve bone health care appear feasible and are associated with improved BMD ordering in men receiving ADT. Cancer 2018;124:1132-40. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

The effect of education through motivational interviewing compared with conventional education on self-care behaviors in heart failure patients with depression

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of education based on motivational interviewing on self-care behaviors in heart failure patients with depression.

METHODS

In this study, 82 patients suffering from heart failure whose depression had been confirmed were selected and divided into two groups. The Self-Care Heart Failure Index was utilized to evaluate self-care behavior. The intervention group received four sessions of self-care behavior education based on the principles of motivational interviewing, and the control group received four sessions of conventional education on self-care behavior. At 8 weeks after finishing the interventions, the self-care behaviors of both groups were evaluated. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests, Chi-square, and analysis of covariance, as appropriate.

RESULTS

The average increase in the overall scores and the scores on the three sub-scales of self-care behavior (maintenance, management, and confidence) of the heart failure patients with depression were significantly higher after education based on motivational interviewing than after conventional self-care education (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Motivational interviewing had a significant positive effect on self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure and depression.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Due to the effectiveness of the MI, using motivational interviewing for education in depressed HF patients is recommended.

Theory-Based Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence in Older Adults Prescribed Polypharmacy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Previous interventions have shown limited success in improving medication adherence in older adults, and this may be due to the lack of a theoretical underpinning.

OBJECTIVE

This review sought to determine the effectiveness of theory-based interventions aimed at improving medication adherence in older adults prescribed polypharmacy and to explore the extent to which psychological theory informed their development.

DATA SOURCES

Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2015, and extensive hand-searching was conducted.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Interventions delivered to older adults (populations with a mean/median age of ≥65 years) prescribed polypharmacy (four or more regular oral/non-oral medicines) were eligible. Studies had to report an underpinning theory and measure at least one adherence and one clinical/humanistic outcome.

REVIEW METHODS

Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and included details of intervention content, delivery, providers, participants, outcomes and theories used. The theory coding scheme (TCS) was used to assess the extent of theory use.

RESULTS

Five studies cited theory as the basis for intervention development (social cognitive theory, health belief model, transtheoretical model, self-regulation model). The extent of theory use and intervention effectiveness in terms of adherence and clinical/humanistic outcomes varied across studies. No study made optimal use of theory as recommended in the TCS.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogeneity observed and inclusion of pilot designs mean conclusions regarding effectiveness of theory-based interventions targeting older adults prescribed polypharmacy could not be drawn. Further primary research involving theory as a central component of intervention development is required. The review findings will help inform the design of future theory-based adherence interventions.

Geographic variation in secondary fracture prevention after a hip fracture during 1999-2013: a UK study

Fragility fractures of the hip have a major impact on the lives of patients and their families. This study highlights significant geographical variation in secondary fracture prevention with even the highest performing regions failing the majority of patients despite robust evidence supporting the benefits of diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the study is to describe the geographic variation in anti-osteoporosis drug therapy prescriptions before and after a hip fracture during 1999-2013 in the UK.

METHODS

We used primary care data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) to identify patients with a hip fracture and primary care prescriptions of any anti-osteoporosis drugs prior to the index hip fracture and up to 5 years after. Geographic variations in prescribing before and after availability of generic oral bisphosphonates were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for gender, age and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

Thirteen thousand sixty-nine patients (76 % female) diagnosed with a hip fracture during 1999-2013 were identified. Eleven per cent had any anti-osteoporosis drug prescription in the 6 months prior to the index hip fracture. In the 0-4 months following a hip fracture, 5 % of patients were prescribed anti-osteoporosis drugs in 1999, increasing to 51 % in 2011 and then decreasing to 39 % in 2013. The independent predictors (OR (95 % CI)) of treatment initiation included gender (male 0.42 (0.36-0.49)), BMI (0.98 per kg/m² increase (0.97-1.00)) and geographic region (1.29 (0.89-1.87) North East vs. 0.56 (0.43-0.73) South Central region). Geographic differences in prescribing persisted over the 5-year follow-up. If all patients were treated at the rate of the highest performing region, then nationally, an additional 3214 hip fracture patients would be initiated on therapy every year.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant geographic differences exist in prescribing of anti-osteoporosis drugs after hip fracture despite adjustment for potential confounders. Further work examining differences in health care provision may inform strategies to improve secondary fracture prevention after hip fracture.

Understanding fragility fracture patients' decision-making process regarding bisphosphonate treatment

We aimed to understand how patients 50 years and older decided to persist with or stop osteoporosis (OP) treatment. Processes related to persisting with or stopping OP treatments are complex and dynamic. The severity and risks and harms related to untreated clinical OP and the favorable benefit-to-risk profile for OP treatments should be reinforced.

INTRODUCTION

Older adults with fragility fracture and clinical OP are at high risk of recurrent fracture, and treatment reduces this risk by 50 %. However, only 20 % of fracture patients are treated for OP and half stop treatment within 1 year. We aimed to understand how older patients with new fractures decided to persist with or stop OP treatment over 1 year.

METHODS

We conducted a grounded theory study of patients 50 years and older with upper extremity fracture who started bisphosphonates and then reported persisting with or stopping treatment at 1 year. We used theoretical sampling to identify patients who could inform emerging concepts until data saturation was achieved and analyzed these data using constant comparison.

RESULTS

We conducted 21 interviews with 12 patients. Three major themes emerged. First, patients perceived OP was not a serious health condition and considered its impact negligible. Second, persisters and stoppers differed in weighting the risks vs benefits of treatments, where persisters perceived less risk and more benefit. Persisters considered treatment "required" while stoppers often deemed treatment "optional." Third, patients could change treatment status even 1-year post-fracture because they re-evaluated severity and impact of OP vs risks and benefits of treatments over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The processes and reasoning related to persisting with or stopping OP treatments post-fracture are complex and dynamic. Our findings suggest two areas of leverage for healthcare providers to reinforce to improve persistence: (1) the severity and risks and harms related to untreated clinical OP and (2) the favorable benefit-to-risk profile for OP treatments.

Effects of Telephone Counseling Intervention by Pharmacists (TelCIP) on Medication Adherence; Results of a Cluster Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of a pharmacist telephone counseling intervention on patients' medication adherence.

DESIGN

Pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

53 Community pharmacies in The Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients ≥18 years initiating treatment with antidepressants, bisphosphonates, Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS)-inhibitors, or statins (lipid lowering drugs). Pharmacies in arm A provided the intervention for antidepressants and bisphosphonates and usual care for RAS-inhibitors and statins. Pharmacies in arm B provided the intervention for RAS-inhibitors and statins and usual care for antidepressants and bisphosphonates.

INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION consisted of a telephone counseling intervention 7-21 days after the start of therapy. Counseling included assessment of practical and perceptual barriers and provision of information and motivation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Primary outcome was refill adherence measured over 1 year expressed as continuous outcome and dichotomous (refill rate≥80%). Secondary outcome was discontinuation within 1 year.

RESULTS

In the control arms 3627 patients were eligible and in the intervention arms 3094 patients. Of the latter, 1054 patients (34%) received the intervention. Intention to treat analysis showed no difference in adherence rates between the intervention and the usual care arm (74.7%, SD 37.5 respectively 74.5%, 37.9). More patients starting with RAS-inhibitors had a refill ratio ≥80% in the intervention arm compared to usual care (81.4 vs. 74.9% with odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95%CI 1.11-1.99). Comparing patients with counseling to patients with usual care (per protocol analysis), adherence was statistically significant higher for patients starting with RAS-inhibitors, statins and bisphosphonates. Patients initiating antidepressants did not benefit from the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Telephone counseling at start of therapy improved adherence in patients initiating RAS-inhibitors. The per protocol analysis indicated an improvement for lipid lowering drugs and bisphosphonates. No effect for on adherence in patients initiating antidepressants was found. The trial was registered at www.trialregister.nl under the identifier NTR3237.

Motivational Interviewing Improves Medication Adherence: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), mostly conducted among minority populations, have reported that motivational interviewing (MI) can improve medication adherence.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of MI and of the MI delivery format, fidelity assessment, fidelity-based feedback, counselors' background and MI exposure time on adherence.

DATA SOURCES

We searched the MEDLINE database for studies published from 1966 until February 2015.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included RCTs that compared MI to a control group and reported a numerical measure of medication adherence.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The main outcome was medication adherence defined as any subjective or objective measure reported as the proportion of subjects with adequate adherence or mean adherence and standard deviation. For categorical variables we calculated the relative risk (RR) of medication adherence, and for continuous variables we calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) between the MI and control groups.

RESULTS

We included 17 RCTs. Ten targeted adherence to HAART. For studies reporting a categorical measure (n = 11), the pooled RR for medication adherence was higher for MI compared with control (1.17; 95 % CI 1.05- 1.31; p < 0.01). For studies reporting a continuous measure (n = 11), the pooled SMD for medication adherence was positive (0.70; 95 % CI 0.15-1.25; p < 0.01) for MI compared with control. The characteristics that were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with medication adherence were telephonic MI and fidelity-based feedback among studies reporting categorical measures, group MI and fidelity assessment among studies reporting continuous measures and delivery by nurses or research assistants. Effect sizes differed in magnitude, creating high heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

MI improves medication adherence at different exposure times and counselors' educational level. However, the evaluation of MI characteristics associated with success had inconsistent results. Larger studies targeting diverse populations with a variety of chronic conditions are needed to clarify the effect of different MI delivery modes, fidelity assessment and provision of fidelity based-feedback.

The OPTIMIZE trial: Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of motivational enhancement therapy to improve adherence to statin medication

BACKGROUND

Statins are a class of medications that are particularly effective for lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite a range of benefits, non-adherence to statin medication is prevalent with 50% to 75% of patients failing to adhere to treatment within the first 2-years. A previous review on interventions to improve adherence to cholesterol lowering medication concluded that rigorous trials were needed with emphasis on the patient's perspective and shared decision making. Motivational interviewing (MInt) is a promising patient-centered approach for improving adherence in patients with chronic diseases. This manuscript describes the rational and design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of MInt in improving adherence to statin medication.

METHODS

Patients filling their first statin prescription will be recruited to complete a 6-month observation run-in period (phase-1) after which medication possession ratio (MPR) will be assessed. Patients meeting criteria for non-adherence (MPR≤60%) will be invited to participate in the trial. 336 non-adherent new statin users will undergo a fasting lipid panel, complete baseline questionnaires, and be randomly allocated to receive four sessions of adherence education delivered using MInt (EdMInt) or to an education control (EC) delivered at 3-month intervals. Final assessments will occur 12-months after the first EdMInt or EC session. The primary outcome is change in MPR adherence to statin medication from baseline to 12-months. Secondary outcomes include within-patient change in self-reported medication adherence, stage of change and self-efficacy for medication adherence, motivation to adhere to statin medication, and lipid profile.

Motivational interviewing to improve self-care for patients with chronic heart failure: MITI-HF randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a tailored motivational interviewing (MI) intervention versus usual care for improving HF self-care behaviors, physical HF symptoms and quality of life.

METHODS

This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Participants were enrolled in the hospital. Immediately after discharge, those in the intervention group received a single home visit and 3-4 follow-up phone calls by a nurse over 90 days.

RESULTS

A total of 67 participants completed the study (mean age 62±12.8 years), of which 54% were African American, 30% were female, 84% had class III/IV symptoms, and 63% were educated at a high school level or less. There were no differences between the groups in self-care maintenance, self-care confidence, physical HF symptoms, or quality of life at 90 days.

CONCLUSION

Patients who received the MI intervention had significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HF self-care maintenance over 90 days that exceeded that of usual care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

These data support the use of a nurse-led MI intervention for improving HF self-care. Identifying methods to improve HF self-care may lead to improved clinical outcomes.