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Adherence to levothyroxine among patients with hypothyroidism in Lebanon
Sarah El Helou1, Souheil Hallit2,3, Sanaa Awada1
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Non-adherence to medication schedules by patients with chronic illnesses can have serious consequences, including poor clinical outcomes, higher hospitalization rates, and increased healthcare costs. Hypothyroidism is a chronic illness with simple treatment, yet non-compliance is common.
Aims:
This study aimed to evaluate treatment adherence to levothyroxine therapy in Lebanese population by estimating the proportion of adherent hypothyroidism patients and assess factors affecting the adherence to treatment.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey between May and July 2015 included 337 patients. Patients were approached by a community pharmacist during their visit to buy their levothyroxine drug and were asked to fill the questionnaire.
Results:
Among these patients, 14.5% showed high adherence, 30.6% medium adherence, and 54.9% low adherence to medication. The mean adherence score was 5.53 ± 1.86 points. The results of a logistic regression showed that age (ORa=1.036), visiting the endocrinologist once every month (ORa=27.77), and the fact that the physician gave the patient information about the disease (ORa=2.898) would significantly increase the adherence to the medication. In addition, having one (ORa=0.365) or two comorbidities (ORa=0.232) in addition to hypothyroidism, postponing/cancelling medical appointments at the last minute (ORa=0.358), the number of waterpipe smoked per week (ORa=0.621) and the number of alcohol glasses drunk per week (ORa=0.631) would significantly decrease the adherence score.
Conclusion:
Educational programmes should be implemented, doctor-patient and pharmacist-patient relationship could be improved and new treatment regimens be considered in order to enhance patient adherence.
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