How well do patients understand written instructions?: health literacy assessment in rural and urban rheumatology outpatients

Evaluation of health literacy and its association with medication adherence and quality of life in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about health literacy in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and how health literacy relates to medication adherence and psychosocial outcomes in this high-risk population. The objective of this study was to evaluate health literacy in adolescents and young adults with cSLE and its association with medication adherence and quality of life.

METHODS

Youth 10-24 years with cSLE (n = 48) completed the Brief Healthy Literacy Screen (BHLS) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) to assess health literacy. Participants also completed validated measures of medication adherence and quality of life. Descriptive analyses were used to determine levels of health literacy. Bivariate correlations were used to evaluate associations between measures of health literacy with adherence and quality of life. A multivariable regression analyses was used to determine if health literacy was a significant predictor of adherence or quality of life, after adjusting for age, sex, race, and household income.

RESULTS

Inadequate health literacy was common in this population, with 67% of youth categorized as having inadequate health literacy by the BHLS and 42% by the NVS. Higher medication adherence was associated with a higher BHLS score (r=.36, p = .017). BHLS was also significantly associated with better quality of life (r = 0.31, p = .034).

CONCLUSION

Inadequate health literacy is prevalent among youth with cSLE. Higher health literacy is associated with higher medication adherence and better quality of life, suggesting that attention to health literacy could improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Use and Utility of Patient After-Visit Instructions at a University Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic: Status and Randomized Prospective Pilot Intervention Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of after-visit instructions (AVIs) in an academic rheumatology clinic and assess the impact of standardized AVIs (sAVIs) and teach-back (TB) on comprehension of health information.

METHODS

A retrospective review of adult patients seen between October 1 and 8, 2021, at the rheumatology clinic collected data on patient demographics, clinical features, and the presence, content, and readability of AVIs. During a subsequent prospective proof-of-concept study, routinely scheduled patients seen at the rheumatology clinic were randomized into three groups: control (received standard of care), received sAVIs only, and received sAVIs plus TB. Patients completed a health literacy questionnaire, satisfaction survey, and a one- to two-week postvisit telephone survey to assess AVI comprehension.

RESULTS

Out of 316 retrospective patient visits, 82 (25.9%) received AVIs. Among 210 of 316 patients (66.5%) with management changes, 76 (36.1%) received AVI, with 74.2% of the instructions considered concordant with the provider's note. Use of AVIs was higher with management changes, new patient visits, and medical trainee/teaching clinics. AVIs were written at a median 6.8 grade level. A total of 75 patients completed the prospective study: 31 (41.3%) were in the control group, 19 (25.3%) were in the group that received sAVIs only, and 25 (33.3%) were in the group that received AVIs with TB. There were no differences in overall postvisit survey comprehension/retention scores among the three patient groups evaluated.

CONCLUSION

Although a lack of AVI use was identified, implementation of sAVIs did not appear to impact patient retention or comprehension of discharge health information.

Evaluating variations in the barriers to colorectal cancer screening associated with telehealth use in rural U.S. Pacific Northwest

PURPOSE

The incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain consistently high in rural populations. Telehealth can improve screening uptake by overcoming individual and environmental disadvantages in rural communities. The present study aimed to characterize varying barriers to CRC screening between rural individuals with and without experience in using telehealth.

METHOD

The cross-sectional study surveyed 250 adults aged 45-75 residing in rural U.S. states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington from June to September 2022. The associations between CRC screening and four sets of individual and environmental factors specific to rural populations (i.e., demographic characteristics, accessibility, patient-provider factors, and psychological factors) were assessed among respondents with and without past telehealth adoption.

RESULT

Respondents with past telehealth use were more likely to screen if they were married, had a better health status, had experienced discrimination in health care, and had perceived susceptibility, screening efficacy, and cancer fear, but less likely to screen when they worried about privacy or had feelings of embarrassment, pain, and discomfort. Among respondents without past telehealth use, the odds of CRC screening decreased with busy schedules, travel burden, discrimination in health care, and lower perceived needs.

CONCLUSION

Rural individuals with and without previous telehealth experience face different barriers to CRC screening. The finding suggests the potential efficacy of telehealth in mitigating critical barriers to CRC screening associated with social, health care, and built environments of rural communities.

Health Literacy of Parents and Carers in a Regional Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Supporting a child's healthy development is determined, in part, by a parent's ability to seek, access, interpret and effectively utilize health information. This aspect of parenting draws on a set of skills referred to as health literacy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the level of health literacy among parents/carers in a regional South Australian community.

METHODS

Parents/carers of primary school-aged children, residing in Whyalla, South Australia, were invited to complete the 13-item All Aspects of Health Literacy Survey.

RESULTS

155 parents/carers completed the survey (79% mothers). Most participants were English-speaking (97%), employed (62%) and had 2-3 children (62%), with 52% completing tertiary education. Median total health literacy scores were mostly in the moderate-high range (median 27, IQR 26,27), as were critical health literacy scores (median 7, IQR 6,8). Higher scores were reported for functional health literacy (median 8, IQR 7,9), communicative health literacy (median 9, IQR 8,9) and empowerment health literacy (median 4, IQR 3,5).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal modest levels of health literacy among a sample of parents/carers of primary school-aged children in a regional South Australian community. Further work is needed to understand the differential effect of parental health literacy on child health outcomes, and the types of strategies that may mitigate the impact of these barriers on a child's healthy development.

Attitudes of Australians with inflammatory arthritis to biologic therapy and biosimilars

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the knowledge and beliefs of Australian patients with inflammatory arthritis regarding biologic/targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs) and biosimilars and their sources of information.

METHODS

Participants enrolled in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD) with RA, PsA and axial SpA were sent an online survey. They were asked about information sources for b/tsDMARDs and how positive or negative this information was. The Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) was used to measure beliefs about b/tsDMARDs with scores ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Participants were asked about their knowledge of biosimilars and willingness to switch to biosimilar.

RESULTS

There was a response rate of 66% (994/1498; 67% female, median age 62 years). Participants currently taking b/tsDMARDs (n = 794) had a high b/tsDMARD-specific BMQ 'necessity' score {median 4.2 [interquartile range (IQR) 3.6-4.8]}, with a lower specific 'concerns' score [median 2.4 (IQR 2.0- 3.0)]. Participants consulted multiple information sources [median 3 (IQR 2-5)]. Positive sources were rheumatologists and educational websites and negative were chat rooms and social media. Only 18% were familiar with biosimilars, with half knowing of availability in Australia. Following a short paragraph describing biosimilars, 75% (744) of participants indicated they would consider switching if recommended by their rheumatologist, with nearly half identifying safety and efficacy of biosimilars as an important concern.

CONCLUSION

Australian patients have positive attitudes towards b/tsDMARDs overall, although little knowledge of biosimilars specifically. They have a high degree of trust in their rheumatologist regarding treatment decisions, even if they are unfamiliar with the medication recommended.

The Dispersion of Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Literacy in a State in the Southern United States: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Low Health Literacy is Associated with the Onset of CKD during the Life Course

BACKGROUND

Health literacy, the ability to deal with information related to one's health, is a predictor of health outcomes in CKD. However, research has not explored whether low health literacy predicts the onset of CKD.

METHODS

We used data from participants of Lifelines, a prospective population-based cohort study of individuals living in The Netherlands, to assess the share of individuals with low health literacy by eGFR category, whether low health literacy is associated with CKD onset in the general population and in the subgroup of older adults, and whether established CKD risk factors mediate this association.

RESULTS

In the total sample of 93,885 adults (mean follow-up 3.9 years), low health literacy was more likely among individuals in worse eGFR categories, increasing from 26.4% in eGFR category 1 to 50.0% in category 5 (P=0.02). Low health literacy, compared with adequate health literacy, was associated with the onset of CKD in the total sample (3.0% versus 2.1%) and in the subgroup of older adults (13.4% versus 11.3%), with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.44 (95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.31 to 1.59) and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.41), respectively. After adjustment for sex, age, education, and income, health literacy was associated with CKD onset only in older adults (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.50). This association was mediated by hypertension and high body mass index (BMI) in the crude model, but only by BMI after adjustment (with BMI explaining 18.8% of the association).

CONCLUSIONS

Low health literacy is a risk factor for CKD onset among older adults, which suggests that CKD prevention might benefit from strategies to address low health literacy.

Differences in the Pattern of Non-Recreational Sharing of Prescription Analgesics among Patients in Rural and Urban Areas

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze differences in sharing of prescription analgesics between rural and urban populations. Methods: We surveyed 1000 participants in outpatient family medicine settings in Croatia. We used a 35-item questionnaire to analyze patients’ characteristics, pain intensity, prescription analgesic sharing behavior, and perception of risks regarding sharing prescription medications. Results: Prescription analgesic sharing was significantly more frequent in the rural (64%) than in the urban population 55% (p = 0.01). Participants from rural areas more commonly asked for verbal or written information than those from urban areas when taking others’ prescription analgesics (p < 0.001) or giving such analgesics (p < 0.001). Participants from rural areas more commonly informed their physician about such behavior compared to those from urban areas (p < 0.01), and they were significantly more often asked about such behavior by their physician (p < 0.01). Perceptions about risks associated with sharing prescription medication were similar between rural and urban populations. Conclusions: There are systematic differences in the frequency of prescription analgesics and associated behaviors between patients in family medicine who live in rural and urban areas. Patients from rural areas were more prone to share prescription analgesics. Future studies should examine reasons for differences in sharing prescription analgesics between rural and urban areas.

Ideal instruments used to measure health literacy related to medication use: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Prior studies showed the association between inadequate health literacy (HL) and poor medication-related skills, while none of the published studies have reviewed and compared the existing instruments used to measure medication-related HL. This systematic review comprehensively summarizes the existing instruments that assess medication-related HL.

OBJECTIVES

To identify appropriate HL instruments related to medication use as screening tools for enhancing patients' ability to use medications correctly.

METHODS

This review retrieved medication-related HL instruments that were published between 2000 and 2019 from three databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE) and by hand-searching. The PRISMA procedure was followed as well as the SURGE guideline to assess the quality of studies. Psychometric properties, HL dimensions, and types of medication information gleaned from the items in three types of HL instruments (i.e., general, disease-specific, medication-specific) were compared to identify appropriate medication-related HL instruments.

RESULT

Forty-eight instruments were identified from 44 studies, whereas 70.8% instruments were either disease- or medication-specific HL instruments. Most instruments with different sample sizes showed certain an extent of reliability and validity. The distributions of HL dimensions and types of medication information among the relevant items were varied across different types of instruments. The five instruments (named as the 16SQ, AKQ-CQ, DHLKI, AKT, and ChMLM) were identified as the most appropriate instruments for three types of medication-related HL, respectively. These appropriate instruments consistently covered items related to HL dimensions of literacy and comprehension and medication-related information regarding dosing, treatment indication, and side effects/precautions.

CONCLUSION

Of 48 identified instruments mainly derived from disease- or medication-specific studies, the five most appropriate medication-related HL instruments were identified to support clinicians in facilitating patients' correct medication use. Further confirmation to explore the usefulness among these instruments are needed.

Impact of Limited Health Literacy on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Health disparities in patient-reported outcomes by income and education are well documented; however, the impact of health literacy on patient-reported outcomes has received less attention. We examined independent effects of income, education, and health literacy on patient-reported outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Data from the California Lupus Epidemiology Study (n = 323 participants) were used. Health literacy was assessed with a validated 3-item measure (ability to understand written information, reliance on others to understand written information, confidence in completing written forms). Patient-reported outcomes were administered by interview in English, Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Generic and disease-specific patient-reported outcomes were examined using the following: 10 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms; the 8 Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey subscales; and 3 patient-reported SLE disease activity and damage measures. We conducted 2 sets of multivariable analyses: the first examined education, income, or health literacy individually; the second included all 3 simultaneously. All multivariable models included age, sex, race/ethnicity, language, disease duration, and physician-assessed disease activity and damage.

RESULTS

More than one-third of participants (38%) had limited health literacy (LHL), including >25% with greater than high school education. In multivariable analyses simultaneously considering education, income, and health literacy, LHL was associated with significantly worse scores on all patient-reported outcomes except disease damage. In contrast, disparities by income were seen in only 3 PROMIS scales, 3 SF-36 subscales, and 1 disease activity measure. No disparities by education level were noted.

CONCLUSION

We found significantly worse patient-reported outcome scores among individuals with LHL, even after controlling for disease activity and damage. Whether disparities are due to actual differences in health or measurement issues requires further study.

Utilizing Oral Surveys to Better Understand Patient Satisfaction in a Low-Income, Urban Surgical Clinic

Oral surveys allow patients to elaborate on their experience in the hospital, giving context to numerical values often used to assess patient satisfaction. This allows patients to speak about factors affecting satisfaction, which is important in complex, low-income populations. Spoken surveys were administered to 80 patients in surgery clinics at Temple University Hospital. Responses were transcribed and coded to analyze patient responses. Relationships among patient responses were identified, and responses were categorized to determine the most important factors related to patient satisfaction. Numerical data were also used to assess satisfaction. Patients were satisfied with their experience with the physician and the hospital, reporting averages scores of 9.73 and 9.19, respectively. Regarding physician satisfaction, patients cited effective communication and professionalism as being most important. As long as nothing went wrong, patients scored their experience outside their interactions with the physician highly. Negative experiences were mainly related to wait times and ineffective communication with office staff and were seldom related to the physician. By using a spoken survey, patients could elaborate on their responses which provides context to the numerical data. Despite the positive feedback for physicians, patients spoke openly about communication. In low-income populations, communication failures can be exacerbated by the power differential present between the patient and physician. Our study demonstrates the utility of oral surveys in understanding complex patient populations, and the results can be used to shape surgical and nonsurgical practices in similar patient populations.

'Tired, afraid, breathless … .' An international survey of the exercise experience for people living with pulmonary hypertension

Patients with pulmonary hypertension are more sedentary than the general population, but attitudes and experiences that may influence their exercise behaviour remain poorly understood. This study identified patterns of behaviour, attitudes towards exercise, barriers and enablers of exercise for people living with pulmonary hypertension. Accessibility of rehabilitation services from a patient perspective was also explored. A voluntary, international survey of people living with pulmonary hypertension was conducted, with mixed quantitative and qualitative data collection. Data from 187 participants in 19 countries were included in the analyses. In total, 52% (95/183) of people with pulmonary hypertension reported that they attempted to engage in regular physical activity. This was less than the proportion who did so prior to diagnosis (61%, 112/184, p = 0.006) and was accompanied by uncertainty and anxiety about exercise. In total, 63% (113/180) of the cohort reported experiencing previous adverse events while exercising, which was associated with a greater likelihood of ongoing exercise concerns and anxiety. Fear, frustration and uncertainty about exercise were noted as common barriers to engaging in exercise with pulmonary hypertension. Other barriers to exercise included intrinsic factors such as debilitating breathlessness and fatigue, and external factors such as cost and access to appropriate services. Most respondents (76%, 128/169) did not have access to a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation service, although an overwhelming majority (92%, 159/172) reported that this would be helpful. Respondents rated education; a supervised, structured exercise programme; and psychology input as the most important components of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation service for pulmonary hypertension. Health professionals must work together with consumers to co-design rehabilitation services that will facilitate exercise and increased activity for people living with pulmonary hypertension.

Universal Health Literacy Precautions Are Associated With a Significant Increase in Medication Adherence in Vulnerable Rheumatology Patients

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine the impact of the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, adapted for rheumatology, on medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and feasibility in all patients; its effect on the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) was studied in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) subpopulation.

METHODS

Data collected during a 6-month prospective quality assurance intervention was compared with data from a prior 6-month period. Interventions included 1) encouraging questions, 2) teach-back communication, and 3) brown-bag medication review. Analysis was performed using linear regression or generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression.

RESULTS

During the intervention period, 46 physicians completed 1737 patient visits. Questions were encouraged, and teach-back communication was performed in more than 90% of visits. Brown-bag medication reviews were performed in 47% of visits overall and 69% of visits in a subgroup that received additional reminder calls. Visit duration and patient satisfaction were not significantly increased. Adherence for rheumatology-related medications that were prescribed both before and during the intervention increased by 22% (P ≤ 0.001; by GEE). Teach-back communication predicted a statistically significant improvement in medication adherence in this subpopulation (by linear regression). The mean CDAI did not improve; however, African American race and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with a decreased CDAI (by GEE).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, adapted for rheumatology, improved medication adherence in our safety-net clinic, with particularly strong effects seen with teach-back communication. In certain populations, use of the toolkit may also improve RA disease activity. This is the first study to document improved medication adherence with this intervention in a real-world setting.

Impact of procedural multimedia instructions for pH BRAVO testing on patient comprehension: a prospective randomized study

The positive impact on patient comprehension and improved procedural outcomes when multimedia is utilized to convey instructions preprocedurally has been previously shown for gastrointestinal procedures such as colonoscopy. However, in gastroesophageal reflux testing (GERD), we continue to utilize verbal and written instructions to establish this diagnosis when we use BRAVO pH testing. This is arguably a more complex procedure involving stopping medications, placement of a device, and maintaining an accurate diary for the duration of the testing. We hypothesize that by utilizing multimedia to relay complex textual information, patients will have improved comprehension of periprocedural instructions thereby improving data entry and satisfaction of expectations during the procedure. Prospective randomized study of 120 patients undergoing endoscopic placement of the BRAVO pH monitoring capsule for evaluation of GERD receive either written preoperative instructions (control) or written plus video instructions (video group). A composite comprehension score was calculated using procedure-specific parameters of data entry over the 48-hour monitoring period. Patient satisfaction was evaluated on the basis of a five-point Likert scale. Extent of patient satisfaction was defined by the fulfillment of patient expectations. Exclusion criteria included patients who did not have access to the video or did not complete follow-up. Seventy-eight patients completed all follow-up evaluations. The video group (n = 44) had a significantly higher mean comprehension score when compared to the control group (n = 34) (9.6 ± 1.4 vs. 7.4 ± 2.0, P = 0.01). Overall satisfaction with instructions was significantly higher in the intervention group (91% vs. 47%, p 0.01). We detected no significant difference in comprehension or satisfaction scores in subgroup analyses of the video group comparing patients <65 and ≥65 years of age and by education level. Compared to standard written instructions, video instructions improved patient comprehension based on data evaluation, and satisfaction. Therefore, clinicians should consider incorporation of multimedia instructions to enhance patient periprocedural expectations and understanding of reflux pH testing using the BRAVO procedure.

Future Perspectives for Patient-Centric Pharmaceutical Drug Product Design with Regard to Solid Oral Dosage Forms

Purpose

Additional costs for healthcare provision are expected for cases where the level of care provided is not according to the patient’s needs and demands. To address these issues and reduce costs, fundamental changes need to be made on how healthcare provision is administered to patients, which raises the opportunity for the implementation of patient-centric systems.

Methods

This review addresses the importance of implementing a patient-centric approach in current healthcare provision and emphasizes the need to adjust current development and business models for a successful application of patient-centric care.

Results

To increase awareness and avoid confusion, the purpose of patient-centric pharmaceutical drug product design is reviewed in detail and future market opportunities for patient-centric drug products are discussed.

Conclusions

With regard to solid oral dosage forms, the subject of patient-centric pharmaceutical drug product design will focus more on the customization of existing technologies (e.g., dosage form size reduction) to address the needs of specific patient populations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, dysphagia patients, or the cognitively impaired.

How Do Health Literacy, Numeric Competencies, and Patient Activation Relate to Transition Readiness in Adolescents and Young Adults With Rheumatic Diseases?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how demographics, health literacy, numeracy, and patient activation are related to transition readiness in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients and to describe how parent/guardian (PG) performance on these metrics predicts AYA patients' transition readiness.

METHODS

In this single center, cross-sectional study, consecutive English-speaking AYA patients ages 17-21 years and PGs were recruited from outpatient rheumatology clinics. Participants completed the following self-reported instruments: demographic questionnaire, Short Test of Fundamental Health Literacy, Objective Numeracy Scale, Subjective Numeracy Scale, Symbolic-number mapping, Patient Activation Measure, and Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ; AYA patients only).

RESULTS

Ninety-one AYA patients participated in the study, of whom 64 of 91 (70%) had juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and 54 PGs. Mean ± SD TRAQ score was 4.0 ± 0.65, correlating with "I am starting to do this" stage of change. Most participants (98%) had adequate health literacy. Multivariable regression analysis showed that AYA patients of female sex, older age, and higher patient activation significantly predicted higher TRAQ scores (P < 0.05). No PG characteristics were linked to higher AYA patient TRAQ scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Transition readiness in AYA patients as measured by TRAQ is associated with female sex, older age, and higher patient activation. Though sex and age are nonmodifiable, interventions to boost patient activation represent a promising opportunity to improve transition readiness and outcomes.

Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study

OBJECTIVES

Patients are often provided with medicine information sheets (MIS). However, up to 60% of patients have low health literacy. The recommended readability level for health-related information is ≤grade 8. We sought to assess the readability of MIS given to patients by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada and to examine Australian patient comprehension of these documents.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Community-based regional rheumatology practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Random sample of patients attending the rheumatology practice.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Readability of MIS was assessed using readability formulae (Flesch Reading Ease formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scale, FORCAST (named after the authors FORd, CAylor, STicht) and the Gunning Fog scale). Literal comprehension was assessed by asking patients to read various Australian MIS and immediately answer five simple multiple choice questions about the MIS.

RESULTS

The mean (±SD) grade level for the MIS from Australia, the UK and Canada was 11.6±0.1, 11.8±0.1 and 9.7±0.1 respectively. The Flesch Reading Ease score for the Australian (50.8±0.6) and UK (48.5±1.5) MIS classified the documents as 'fairly difficult' to 'difficult'. The Canadian MIS (66.1±1.0) were classified as 'standard'. The five questions assessing comprehension were correctly answered by 9/21 patients for the adalimumab MIS, 7/11 for the methotrexate MIS, 6/28 for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory MIS, 10/11 for the prednisone MIS and 13/24 for the abatacept MIS.

CONCLUSIONS

The readability of MIS used by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada exceeds grade 8 level. This may explain why patient literal comprehension of these documents may be poor. Simpler, shorter MIS with pictures and infographics may improve patient comprehension. This may lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes.

Official definitions for undesirable medical events : Are they correctly applied in medicine?

Background

In Austria, elaborate definitions exist for the undesirable medical events side effect, adverse event, complication and medical malpractice. We aimed at investigating whether the official definitions for the abovementioned terms can be understood by a sample population representing a cross-section of the Austrian population.

Methods

In this study 1021 Austrian citizens were interviewed. Demographic parameters (age, gender, occupation, level of education, monthly income, number of inhabitants at place of residence) were assessed. Participants were told the official definitions for complication, side effect, adverse event and medical malpractice and asked to select the correct definition for “complication”. The impact of sample characteristics on the ability to identify the correct definition was investigated.

Results

Of the participants 315 (31%) identified the correct definition of a complication. Almost the same number (n = 302, 30%; χ² for single samples: p = 0.087) falsely selected the definition for side effect. Significantly fewer (both p < 0.001) chose the definitions for adverse event (n = 220, 22%) and medical malpractice (n = 155, 15%). Only the respective state of origin showed significant influence on the probability of choosing the correct definition out of the four. The probability was highest in Vorarlberg (0.400) and lowest in Upper Austria (0.216, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

For the majority the present official definitions for undesirable medical events are too complex to understand. Simple definitions for undesirable medical events should be included into patient education.

Pharmacotherapy Pearls in Rheumatology for the Care of Older Adult Patients: Focus on Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs and the Newest Small Molecule Inhibitors

Providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy to geriatric patients with rheumatologic disorders is challenging. Multidisciplinary care involving rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and other specialties can optimize benefit and reduce adverse outcomes. Oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide, and the small molecule inhibitors tofacitinib and apremilast have distinctive monitoring requirements and specific adverse reaction profiles. This article provides clinically relevant pearls for use of these interventions in older patients.

Pharmacotherapy Pearls for the Geriatrician: Focus on Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Including Newer Agents

Providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy to the geriatric patients with rheumatological disorders is an ongoing struggle for the rheumatologist and geriatrician alike. Cohesive communication and partnership can improve the care of these patients and subvert adverse outcomes. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide, and the newest oral agent for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, tofacitinib, have distinctive monitoring and adverse effect profiles. This article provides the general practitioner or geriatrician with clinically relevant pearls regarding the use of these interventions in older patients.

Medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: why do patients not take what we prescribe?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease which results in extensive articular and extra-articular morbidity and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Despite an increasing range of non-biological and biological disease-modifying agents, poor patient adherence with medication is a significant barrier to effective control of the inflammation associated with RA. This review seeks to identify factors that affect patient adherence with medication, examine the effectiveness of interventions to address this issue and offer practical suggestions to improve medication adherence. The impact of health literacy on medication adherence and the novel role of musculoskeletal ultrasound as an educational intervention will also be discussed.

Medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the effect of patient education, health literacy, and musculoskeletal ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affecting <1% of the population. Incompletely controlled RA results in fatigue, joint and soft tissue pain, progressive joint damage, reduced quality of life, and increased cardiovascular mortality. Despite an increasing range of disease modifying agents which halt disease progression, poor patient adherence with medication is a significant barrier to management.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this review was to examine the effectiveness of measures to improve patient medication adherence.

METHODS

Studies addressing treatment adherence in patients with RA were identified by trawling PsycINFO, Medline, Cochrane, Pubmed, and ProQuest for studies published between January 2000 and October 2014. Articles were independently reviewed to identify relevant studies.

RESULTS

Current strategies were of limited efficacy in improving patient adherence with medications used to treat RA.

CONCLUSION

Poor medication adherence is a complex issue. Low educational levels and limited health literacy are contributory factors. Psychological models may assist in explaining medication nonadherence. Increasing patient knowledge of their disease seems sensible. Existing educational interventions appear ineffective at improving medication adherence, probably due to an overemphasis on provision of biomedical information. A novel approach to patient education using musculoskeletal ultrasound is proposed.