[Determinants of the adherence to therapeutic plan in elderly Spaniards, over 60 years of age]

Treatment Adherence in Chronic Conditions during Ageing: Uses, Functionalities, and Cultural Adaptation of the Assistant on Care and Health Offline (ACHO) in Rural Areas

The increasingly common scenario of an ageing population is related to a rise in the prevalence of problems associated with chronic conditions and comorbidities. Polypharmacy is frequent among this population, and it is a situation that can create medication management and adherence issues. This article introduces the features and functionalities of a voice assistant (Assistant on Health and Care Offline, ACHO) that aims to facilitate treatment adherence among elderly adults. Specifically adapted for its use in rural contexts, it does not require an Internet connection. Its development consisted of two stages: a first stage of problem diagnosis, in which the classic tools of ethnographic fieldwork were used, and a second stage of design implementing methodologies developed by Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) programmes. The main design characteristic of this new digital care system is that it is adapted to the needs of its end-users. It includes features such as voice customisation and the personal identification of medication, it can be connected to other digital devices, and information is introduced and supervised by healthcare professionals. These custom features introduce a safer medication administration procedure, improve supervision strategies, and increase patients' trust in the prescription process.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TREATMENT COMPLIANCE AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

ABSTRACT: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at 23 Family Health Centers in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. The objective was to verify the link between anti-hypertension treatment compliance and the types of cardiovascular complications present in hypertensive patients. The sample was composed of 182 hypertensive patients registered in the Sistema de Gestão Clínica de Hipertensão Arterial e Diabetes Mellitus da Atenção Básica who accepted to answer and fill in a structured form and an instrument to assess compliance. Among the arterial hypertension patients questioned, 62.0% were women, 66.9% were elderly people, 52.2% were patients with a family income between 1.5 and four monthly minimum wages, 61.2% had between one and eight years of education and 60.4% lived in households with two to four people. The most frequent complications found were cerebrovascular accident (37.9%) followed by acute myocardial infarction (20.3%). Treatment compliance was present in 52.0% of patients and was associated to cerebrovascular accident (p<0.001; OR=3.048; 95%CI=1.633-5.681). The results obtained suggest the need for a behavioral change in hypertensive patients, adopting health promotion measures in order to prevent further cardiovascular complications.

Cardiovascular medication utilization and adherence among adults living in rural and urban areas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Rural residents face numerous barriers to healthcare access and studies suggest poorer health outcomes for rural patients. Therefore we undertook a systematic review to determine if cardiovascular medication utilization and adherence patterns differ for rural versus urban patients.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of major electronic datasets was undertaken for controlled clinical trials and observational studies comparing utilization or adherence to cardiovascular medications in rural versus urban adults with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Two reviewers independently identified citations, extracted data, and evaluated quality using the STROBE checklist. Risk estimates were abstracted and pooled where appropriate using random effects models. Methods and reporting were in accordance with MOOSE guidelines.

RESULTS

Fifty-one studies were included of fair to good quality (median STROBE score 17.5). Although pooled unadjusted analyses suggested that patients in rural areas were less likely to receive evidence-based cardiovascular medications (23 studies, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79, 0.98), pooled data from 21 studies adjusted for potential confounders indicated no rural-urban differences (adjusted OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.91, 1.13). The high heterogeneity observed (I(2) = 97%) was partially explained by treatment setting (hospital, ambulatory care, or community-based sample), age, and disease. Adherence did not differ between urban versus rural patients (3 studies, OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.39, 2.27, I(2) = 91%).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no consistent differences in rates of cardiovascular medication utilization or adherence among adults with cardiovascular disease or diabetes living in rural versus urban settings. Higher quality evidence is needed to determine if differences truly exist between urban and rural patients in the use of, and adherence to, evidence-based medications.

Treatment compliance in chronic illness: Current situation and future perspectives

Long-term chronic diseases have a high mortality rate around the world, affecting both genders equally. Despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of various health problems, lack of treatment compliance remains an obstacle to improving health and patient quality of life, and it carries a high associated socio-healthcare cost. The objectives of this study were to develop the concept of «therapeutic adherence», which includes both pharmacological compliance as well as non-pharmacological (level of agreement and patient involvement, lifestyle changes, etc.) treatments. The study also aimed to establish the clinical and socio-health impact of non-compliance, the reasons for non-compliance, and methods and strategies to improve compliance. The results of this study support therapeutic adherence as an essential goal of the healthcare system that encompasses all stakeholders involved in patient health.

[Adherence to treatment, by active ingredient, in patients over 65 years on multiple medication]

AIM

To assess the level of adherence, by active ingredient, to treatment and associated factors in polymedicated patients over 65 years-old.

DESIGN

Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study over polymedicated patients over 65 years of the Costa del Sol Health District and the North Malaga Health Area. The study was performed between January 2011 and September 2012 on 375 subjects obtained by simple random sampling from lists provided by each health centre. Data was collected by means of an interview with structured questions. Informed consent was given and signed by all patients before interview.

STUDY VARIABLES

Main results variable adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green's test).

PREDICTABLE VARIABLES

Prescription by active ingredient, socio-demographic variables, health care centre variables, and treatment associated variables. A descriptive analysis of variables was performed. Statistical inference was determined using univariate analysis (t test of Student or Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-squared), and controlling for confounding factors by multivariate analysis (linear and logistic regression).

RESULTS

The result for therapeutic compliance was 51.7%. No statistically significant differences were observed as regards sex and age. A relationship was found in those who resided in rural areas (P=.001), lived with family (P<.05), and were not at risk of suffering from anxiety (P=.046).

CONCLUSIONS

We found similar patient adherence to treatment despite the prescribing generic drugs. Failure to therapeutic compliance was greater in those patients who lived by themselves, in a city close to the coast, or in those patients who were at risk of suffering from anxiety.

Utilização de questionários validados para mensurar a adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão arterial: uma revisão integrativa

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar na produção científica da saúde coletiva quais questionários validados estão sendo utilizados para avaliar a adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão. Trata-se de uma Revisão Integrativa realizada nas bases de dados SciELO, MEDLINE e LILACS. Foram selecionados nove estudos que utilizaram sete questionários: Teste de Moriski-Green, Cuestionário de Valoración de Adherencia, Cuestionário MBG, Questionário QAM-Q, Teste de Haynes, Escala de Conductas em Salud e Hill-Bone compliance Scale. Concluímos que a avaliação da adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão ainda é campo aberto para pesquisa, os diferentes instrumentos utilizados têm suas limitações e não há um método ideal.

[Pharmaceutical intervention on the therapeutic adherence in patients with chronic renal disease]

OBJECTIVES

To assess the therapeutic adherence in patients with stage 3-5 chronic renal disease (CRD), and evaluate whether pharmaceutical intervention improves medication adherence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective uncontrolled before-after study (July 2008-March 2009) was carried out in the Pharmaceutical Care Unit of a tertiary hospital. Polymedicated patients >65 years with stage 3-5 CRD, and on treatment with erythropoietin. Infowin(®) program was used to provide written information during the interviews with patients, who signed the informed consent. The Haynes-Sackett and Morisky-Green questionnaires were used to assess the therapeutic adherence.

RESULTS

Of a total of 103 candidates, we asked 94 patients to participate, of whom 53 agreed; women 60.4%, mean age: 76.8 ± 6.9 years.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

refusal to participate (19.5%), non-appearance of patient or usual caregiver (70.7%), and institutionalised patients (9.8%). Average number of drugs per patient: 10.8 ± 2.97. A total of 88.7% had no difficulty in taking medication (Haynes-Sackett) and 73.6% were considered compliant (Morisky-Green). Differences were observed when comparing both methods (P=.036). Patients with difficulty in taking medication were less compliant (45.6%). The Morisky-Green questionnaire was used for a second time on 78.6% of unreliable patients, and obtained a 45.5% increase in compliance, increasing the overall compliance to 87.8% (P=.00003). Fifty-two drug-related problems (DRP) were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial compliance of patients with stage 3-5 CRD was was noteworthy. However, after pharmaceutical intervention there was a statistically significant improvement in adherence to therapy.

[Disability as a barrier to drug adherence in polypathological patients: role of main carer]

OBJECTIVES

To determine which social and individual factors may predict adherence to medication in patients with more than two chronic symptomatic diseases (polypathological patients) under polypharmacy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study. In a primary care area assigned to our teaching hospital 265 patients with multiple chronic diseases and polypharmacy were recruited over a 6 month period. 84 patients with uncompleted data or died before finishing our study were excluded. An structured interview performed by a investigator different from responsible physicians was used. Drug adherence was assessed by a subjective method.

RESULTS

Disability measured by Barthel index was was the main predictor of drug adherence. Patients without carer support and Barthel Index lower than 100 showed the poorer drug adherence. In the later group number of drugs also affected adherence. However, in patients with carer available, medication adherence was better, mostly in more disabled ones, and unaffected by other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with multiple chronic diseases, social support by a carer may allow disabled patients to overcome the barrier of disability leading to a better drug adherence, even than non-disabled ones. These findings may help to design future prospective studies on medication adherence performed in this peculiar frail population.

[Study on the use of a smart pillbox to improve treatment compliance]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of the Practidose individualised dispensing and dosing pillbox system in improving treatment compliance (TC).

DESIGN

Open-labelled, randomised, clinical trial.

SETTING

Cordoba province from April to September 2005.

PARTICIPANTS AND CONTEXT

A total of 220 patients 70 years diagnosed with ineffective management of treatment regime, polymedicated with no cognitive deterioration or limited mobility. Enrolment was carried out by block random assignment. Each district linking nurse was assigned 10 interviews, 5 from the intervention group and 5 from a control group.

INTERVENTION

To give a smart pillbox with instructions. MEASUREMENTS AND PRIMARY OUTCOMES: The response variable was the TC measured using the Morisky-Green questionnaire at the beginning and at 2 months. The independent variables were: age, sex, education level, number of people living in the home and mean age, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, COPD, number of medications, number of daily and weekly doses self-medication, and interest in the patient information leaflet. A descriptive analysis and a multiple logistic regression were performed on the data. A total of 182 patients finished the study. The TC improved by 6.74% in the intervention group and by 2.15% in the control group. To look after the medications and suffer from COPD lead to better TC, and was less so when there was interest in the patient information leaflet.

CONCLUSIONS

The improvement in treatment compliance with the Practidose Pillbox was not statistically significant, although a positive tendency was observed.