Psychosocial Predictors of Glaucoma Medication Adherence Among the Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) Personalized...

To evaluate the association between baseline psychosocial milieu and subsequent glaucoma medication adherence among participants in the Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) personalized glaucoma coaching program pilot study.

Prospective cohort study.

Participants (University of Michigan glaucoma patients aged ≥40 years, taking ≥1 glaucoma medication, who self-reported poor adherence) completed a baseline survey that assessed the following: (1) demographics; (2) social network; (3) perceived stress; (4) consideration of future consequences; (5) glaucoma-related distress; and (6) social support. Medication adherence was then monitored electronically for 3 months and the percentage of prescribed doses taken was calculated. The relationship between baseline factors and medication adherence was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Main outcome measure was median percent adherence over 3 months.

Of the 95 study participants, 63% had graduated from college, 55% were white, 35% were African-American, and 97% had insurance. Median adherence over 3 months was 74% ± 21% (±standard deviation, SD). Higher income and more education were significantly associated with better adherence (P < .0001, P = .03). Glaucoma-related distress (mean score 5.6, SD = 3.0) was inversely associated with medication adherence on univariate (P < .0001) and multivariate analysis (P = .0002). Every 1-point increase in glaucoma-related distress score predicted a 2.4-percentage-point decrease in medication adherence.

Lower income, lower educational attainment, and a higher level of glaucoma-related distress all predicted lower adherence to glaucoma medications. Additional glaucoma self-management support resources should be directed toward patients with such risk factors for poor adherence.