Clinical investigation of medication adherence of glaucoma patients

Abstract

To investigate the medication adherence and modulation factors of medication adherence in long-term treated glaucoma patients. It was a cross-sectional study. One hundred glaucoma patients who have been followed-up for more than 6 month in the Second Hospital affiliated to Medical College of Zhejiang University were investigated with questionnaires and interview. The data was analyzed by binary logistic regression and χ(2) test. In the 100 glaucoma patients being investigated, the medication compliance of patients is 61(61.0%), the medication non-compliance of patients is 39 (39.0%). Age, gender, habitat, glaucoma types, surgical history, ingesting patient before writing out a prescription and informing them the methods for application of eyedrops were not significantly co-related with medication adherence (χ(2) = 0.718, 0.537, 0.338, 3.797, 0.338, 0.297, 0.157; P > 0.05). Intraocular pressure before treatment, types of eyedrops, instillation of eye-drops to the eyelids, request for help during application of eyedrops, rechecking regularly and confidence in glaucoma treatment were found significantly related to medication adherence (P = 0.013, 0.005, 0.005, 0.012, 0.011, 0.004). However, drug side effect, forgetting application of eyedrops and inconvenience to see a doctor was considered the most important factors by patients in the interview. Glaucoma physicians should discuss with patients about the methods for the application of glaucoma medication. This can improve the medication adherence of glaucoma patients and promote the therapeutic effect.