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Factors affecting drug treatment compliance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Reyhan Tuncay1, Emel Eksioglu, Banu Cakir
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health, Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, 57.sok 3/7 06510 Emek, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract:
We prospectively examined 100 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to calculate drug compliance rates, characteristics of compliant and non-compliant patients, and changes in compliance over time. Three assessments were obtained over a one-year follow-up. Detailed drug history of RA and for concomitant disease was queried. Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor values, Ritchie articular index, morning stiffness, and health assessment questionnaire were evaluated. Twenty-six patients (30.2%) were consistently compliant and 10 patients (11.6%) were consistently non-compliant. Older age was associated with a greater likelihood of compliance. Comparison of compliant and non-compliant groups revealed no statistically significant difference in distribution of gender, disease duration, and total number of pills taken for RA and/or total number of pills taken for any reason. In conclusion, compliance to drugs in RA patients is a common problem. Clinical and laboratory activity of RA had less influence on drug compliance. Older age is associated with a greater likelihood of compliance.
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