Abstract
Adherence is defined as "the extent to which a person's behaviour coincides with medical or health advice." Poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is a common and expensive problem in patients with chronic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with a higher risk of flares, morbidity, hospitalisations and poor renal outcome. Non-adherence to the treatment is multifactorial for most patients and varies according to unintentional or intentional patterns. The rates of non-adherence in SLE patients range from 3% to 76% depending on the assessment methods, which are all subject to limitations. Indeed, poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is difficult to evaluate. Two studies have shown that undetectable blood hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) concentration may be a simple, objective and reliable marker of non-adherence in SLE patients. The accurate diagnosis of non-adherence may prevent one from incorrectly interpreting disease manifestations as a lack of response. It may then avoid an unnecessary or even dangerous treatment escalation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
