Medication Adherence and Patients' Characteristics in Chronic Diseases: A National Multi-Center Study

Treatment adherence and anxiety levels of bronchiectasis patients in the COVID-19 pandemic

It has been reported that during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, bronchiectasis patients were adversely affected due to their limited respiratory functions and acute exacerbations which were triggered by viral infections. The increased concern in the population during the pandemic has affected the attitudes of people toward avoiding disease and patients' treatment compliance. It is unclear whether treatment adherence and anxiety levels of bronchiectasis patients have changed during the pandemic. We aimed to evaluate treatment adherence and anxiety levels in patients with bronchiectasis. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and November 2021. A total of 123 patients with bronchiectasis and 110 adults without chronic diseases were included in the control group. Patient demographic information, bronchiectasis follow-up data, and COVID-19 history were recorded. Then, patients filled out "MARS-5 Index" (Medical Adherence Report Scale-5), Beck Anxiety Scale and the Effect of Events Scale (IES-R). Responses of questionnaires were statistically analyzed. Our results showed that the majority of patients with bronchiectasis had high Medical Adherence Report Scale-5 index total scores during the COVID-19 pandemic (86.2%). The total scores on the Beck Anxiety Scale of bronchiectasis patients who did not have COVID-19 were significantly higher than those who had COVID-19 (P = .04). The total scores on the IES-R were found to be significantly higher in the control group (P < .001). No significant difference was found in the total scores on the Beck Anxiety Scale between the patients and the control group. The bronchiectasis patients had high adherence to their current treatment during the COVID-19 period and were less affected by the pandemic and its psychological effects compared to the healthy population. Furthermore, individuals diagnosed with bronchiectasis who were not infected with COVID-19 demonstrated increased levels of anxiety compared to those who were infected with COVID-19 which may be due to their concern about contracting the disease.

Role of Health Literacy, Social Support, Patient-Physician Relationship, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Predicting Medication Adherence in Cardiovascular Diseases in Oman

Purpose

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a global health threat, and medication adherence remains low. Medication adherence is a complex phenomenon and is affected by many factors that require investigation. Oman has limited literature examining medication adherence and influencing factors among patients with CVDs. This study examined the influence of health literacy, social support, the patient-physician relationship, and health-related quality of life on medication adherence among patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Patients and Methods

This cross-sectional study used a correlation design. The study included 360 participants with CVDs. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were utilized for data analyses.

Results

Findings revealed that higher social support (B=0.117; p=0.033), good patient-physician relationship (B=0.124; p < 0.01), better mental health (B=0.045; p < 0.01), more bodily pain (B=0.030; p < 0.01), and unemployment (B=1.297; p < 0.01) were predictors of higher adherence. High school education and above predicted lower medication adherence (B= -1.255; p= 0.019), while health literacy was not a significant predictor of medication adherence (B= 0.061; p= 0.289).

Conclusion

To improve medication adherence, healthcare providers and researchers should consider improving patients' social support, mental health, and the patient-physician relationship. In addition, patients' socioeconomic status should always be considered and examined as an influencing factor of medication adherence.

Study of Adherence Level and the Relationship Between Treatment Adherence, and Superstitious Thinking Related to Health Issues Among Chronic Disease Patients in Southern Jordan: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

For disease management, numerous drugs are prescribed. However, long-term treatment adherence is still unsatisfactory. Culture influences beliefs regarding medication, particularly irrational ideas that affect treatment adherence. The Middle East, notably Jordan, is affected by a lack of awareness of these attitudes with regard to treatment adherence.

OBJECTIVE

Investigating the adherence level among patients with chronic diseases in southern Jordan. To determine whether certain demographic traits, different disease factors, and superstitions have any impact on treatment adherence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study that assessed treatment adherence and superstitious thinking-related health issues were conducted among chronic disease patients who had reviewed intrinsic medicine clinics at the Karak governmental hospital.

RESULTS

For 314 participants, treatment adherence was categorized into three levels low-adherent patients made up 27.7% highly-adherent patients made up 49.4%, and the remaining adhered at a medium level. Treatment non-adherence was more common in the elderly and female, according to the chi-square analysis. Additionally, the classification of superstitious beliefs into three categories revealed that different percentages of the study population held low superstitious beliefs 21%, medium superstitions 54.1% and high superstitions 24.8% beliefs. The chi-square analysis revealed that the elderly, female, and low-educated patient groups were the highest in superstitious thinking. Multiple regression analysis revealed that educational level and superstitious thinking explained 0.223 of the treatment adherence variances. Treatment adherence is positively influenced by educational level β (0.244) value, but superstitious thinking is negatively influenced by β (-0.302) value.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, about half of the participants highly adhered. The results of the multiple-regression analysis indicate that superstition and education were two variables that impacted treatment adherence in this study. While superstitious beliefs lead to lower treatment adherence, education has the opposite effect. Finally, it is recommended to promote patient education to reduce superstitious beliefs, improve medication adherence.

Effect of Reminder System on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence in Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on WeChat Intervention (Preprint)

Background

Objective

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Conclusions

Trial Registration