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Adherence to biologic therapy - Does it vary with ethnicity?
Muhammad K Nisar1, Waqas Mirza1, Aneesa Rafiq1
1Rheumatology Department, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital NHSFT, Luton, UK.
Summary
Adherence to biologic therapy in rheumatic diseases varies by ethnicity, with other ethnicities showing higher disease activity and more negative beliefs about medication. Understanding these differences is key to improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Therapy adherence is crucial for managing rheumatic diseases but is often poor.
- Patient beliefs about medications can influence adherence and may differ across ethnic groups.
- Limited data exist on ethnic variations in adherence to biologic therapies for rheumatic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify determinants of adherence to biologic drugs in inflammatory arthritis.
- To assess the impact of beliefs about medications on adherence.
- To compare adherence determinants between Caucasian and other ethnicities (OE) and explore the link to disease outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective survey of patients with inflammatory arthritis on subcutaneous biologic therapies.
- Data collection via self-reported adherence, Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR5), and Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire (BMQ).
- Comparison of adherence and beliefs between Caucasian and OE groups, correlated with disease activity scores.
Main Results:
- Higher disease activity scores (DAS) observed in OE patients (3.7) compared to Caucasian patients (2.9).
- Negative beliefs about therapy (higher concern scores) were more prevalent in OE patients (60%) versus Caucasian patients (35%).
- Poor adherence rates were 42.5% in OE patients versus 30% in Caucasian patients, though not statistically significant (p=0.308).
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to show ethnic differences in disease activity and medication beliefs for subcutaneous biologic therapies in rheumatic diseases.
- Ethnic variations in beliefs about biologic therapies may influence adherence and clinical outcomes.
- Targeted interventions addressing ethnic-specific beliefs could improve adherence and disease management in diverse patient populations.
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