Medication Nonadherence In Patients Research Articles

Under-recognised ethical dilemmas of diabetes care in resource-poor settings.

Ineffective diabetes management results in suboptimal glycaemic control and adverse health outcomes. In resource-poor settings, a combination of high burden of medication nonadherence in patients and therapeutic inertia amongst clinicians is largely attributed to the failure to achieve glycaemic targets in diabetic populations. The potential health risks from intensification of medical therapy for aggressive lowering of glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes patients represents an ethical dilemma between averting risk from overtreatment and preventing future harm from raised blood glucose levels. However, the ethical dilemmas experienced by clinicians in most of the developing world when contemplating prescription of additional oral hypoglycaemic agents or initiating insulin have received little attention from the medical community. Such ethical dilemmas unique to resource-poor settings often emerge from poor availability of drugs, diagnostics and physician consultation time for diabetic patients. Furthermore, existing evidence-based guidelines for diabetes management assume a standard of care which is lacking in such settings. This often compels the developing world clinicians when confronted with such diabetes-related ethical dilemmas to rely solely on their clinical judgement which could be ethically unjust and medically prone to error. Newer research needs to generate evidence to develop best practice guidelines for optimal therapeutic outcomes, while acknowledging the reality of limited healthcare services available in resource-poor settings.

Predictors of medication nonadherence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Sichuan: a cross-sectional study.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of medication nonadherence among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Sichuan.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional investigation was performed. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling from the Rheumatic Clinic of a university hospital between June and September 2016. Patients’ self-reported medication adherence was assessed by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Additional surveys included patients’ demographics, and clinical and treatment characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of medication nonadherence.ResultsA total of 140 patients were included in analysis. The percentage of patients classified as nonadherent to medication was 75%. Low education, rural residency, childlessness, limited comprehension of medication instructions, side effects experienced, dissatisfaction with treatment and better physical health were associated with an increased risk of nonadherence.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a high prevalence of medication nonadherence among SLE patients in Sichuan, and factors associated with the nonadherence are multifaceted. Interventions for these factors, such as appropriate adjustment of the service resources for patients with rheumatic disease in rural communities and improved communication between the health care providers and the patients, may contribute to improve the medication adherence of this cohort.

Investigation of variables associated with medication nonadherence in patients with hypertension

Investigation of variables associated with medication nonadherence in patients with hypertension

Factors Affecting Noninsulin Antidiabetic Drug Adherence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Adherence to antidiabetic (AD) medication is a multifactorial phenomenon; however, little is known about which factors are the most contributory. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review aiming to quantify the effect of factors associated with medication nonadherence in patients with type 2 diabetes using non-insulin AD (NIAD) drugs. We conducted a systematic literature search of relevant observational studies published from January 1997 through March 2017. Studies were included if they used medication possession ratio (MPR) or proportion of days covered (PDC) to evaluate adherence associated with factors, were published in the last 10 years, and did not include insulin. The factors identified were then grouped based on the dimensions of medication adherence defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The search yielded 1studies of which 25 met criteria. Socioeconomic factors associated with increased adherence were older age, male gender, and Caucasian race which were supported by 15, 10, and 8 studies, respectively. Health system related-factors associated with increased adherence were a general practitioner as the initial prescriber and mailed prescriptions, which were supported by 2 and 3 studies, respectively. The most prevalent condition-related factors were no hospitalized in the past year, frequent physician visits, and absence of cancer, each of which were supported by 3 studies. In regards to therapy-related factors, patients prescribed metformin, and who have a higher pill burden are more likely to be adherent, which were supported by 5 and 8 studies respectively. Only one study analyzed a WHO defined patient-related factor, which found a negative relationship between patients’ diabetes-related knowledge and adherence. In conclusion, the major factors reported to be associated with NIAD nonadherence were younger age, female, non-Caucasian race, not using mailed prescriptions, cancer diagnosis, lower number of comorbidities, and a smaller pill burden. Disclosure L. Petrenchik: None. F. Loh: None.

The Duality of Economic Issues With Medication Non-adherence in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis.

In this review, we synthesize current data on non-adherence across inflammatory arthritides and explore (1) the effects of economic factors on non-adherence and (2) the impacts of non-adherence on economic outcomes. Recent evidence demonstrates medication non-adherence rates as high as 74% in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 90% in gout, 50% in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 75% in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 82% in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effects of socioeconomic factors have been studied most in RA and SLE but with inconsistent findings. Nonetheless, the evidence points to having prescription coverage and costs of treatment as important factors in RA and education as an important factor in SLE. Limited data in AS and gout, and no studies of the effects of socioeconomic factors in PsA, show knowledge gaps for future research. Finally, there is a dearth of data with respect to the impacts of non-adherence on economic outcomes.

Previously undiagnosed risk factors and medication nonadherence are prevalent in young adults with first-ever stroke.

The incidence of stroke and prevalence of traditional vascular risk factors (VRFs) in young adults (age<55y) are both increasing. Young patients tend to be unaware of their VRFs and to have lower medication adherence. We examined how age affects the prevalence of previously undiagnosed VRFs and the extent of medication nonadherence among stroke patients. Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified consecutive adult patients with first-ever stroke between 2000 and 2013. Diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia was ascertained using validated methods. We investigated (1) the proportion of patients who had undiagnosed VRFs within 3years before stroke and (2) the proportion of nonadherence to medications among patients who had a previously diagnosed VRF. Among stroke patients with hypertension (n=9722), diabetes (n=4751), and hyperlipidemia (n=4486), 24.9%, 20.8%, and 55.0%, respectively, had not been diagnosed before stroke, whereas 56.0%, 66.7%, and 32.5%, respectively, had been diagnosed at least 1year before stroke. The proportions of medication nonadherence were 71.5%, 64.3%, and 88.4% in patients with previously diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, respectively. In multivariate analysis, younger age was independently associated with undiagnosed hypertension before stroke as well as medication nonadherence in patients with previously diagnosed hypertension or diabetes. Previously undiagnosed hypertension and nonadherence to treatment of hypertension and diabetes were more prevalent in young adult patients with first-ever stroke in Taiwan. Interventions targeting young people to promote early detection and adequate control of VRFs should be encouraged.

Ways Health Care Providers Can Promote Better Medication Adherence.

Optimal diabetes management requires patient engagement in a variety of self-care activities, including adherence to medication regimens, adjustment to lifestyle modifications, and monitoring of blood glucose levels. Perhaps one of the most challenging self-care issues facing patients living with diabetes is that of medication adherence. Patients take their medication as prescribed only 50% of the time (1) and are reluctant to share the details of their less-than-optimal medication-taking behavior with their health care providers (HCPs) (2). In 2003, the World Health Organization stated that increasing medication adherence might have a far greater impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatments (3). During the past 14 years, a better understanding of the barriers related to nonadherence has become more apparent. The following barriers have been consistently implicated in medication nonadherence for patients with diabetes: patients’ emotions, patients’ intention to not take medications, emotional distance from HCPs (e.g., because of HCPs’ poor understanding of the situation), social and cultural beliefs about health and antidiabetes medications, low health literacy, insufficient information about ancillary resources, medication complexity and lack of support or powerlessness to handle medication complexity, and poverty (4). Researchers have also documented the consequences of nonadherence, which include increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs (5). Although the body of knowledge informing the issues of medication nonadherence has grown, the practical problem of medication adherence is one that patients and providers continue to struggle with on a daily basis. The National Diabetes Education Program developed a web resource titled “Promoting Medication Adherence in Diabetes,” available at www.niddk.nih.gov, to give HCPs evidence and tools to help them promote optimal medication-taking behavior among patients. To help busy HCPs, we have distilled the current knowledge base related to medication nonadherence in patients with diabetes into this practical …

Factors Associated with Primary Medication Nonadherence in Patients Prescribed Statins, Ezetimibe, or Statin + Ezetimibe Combination Therapy

Factors Associated with Primary Medication Nonadherence in Patients Prescribed Statins, Ezetimibe, or Statin + Ezetimibe Combination Therapy

Does Health Information in Mass Media Help or Hurt Patients? Investigation of Potential Negative Influence of Mass Media Health Information on Patients’ Beliefs and Medication Regimen Adherence

As an important public health issue, patient medication non-adherence has drawn much attention, but research on the impact of mass media as an information source on patient medication adherence has been scant. Given that mass media often provide confusing and contradicting information regarding health/medical issues, this study examined the potential negative influence of exposure to health information in mass media on patients’ beliefs about their illnesses and medications, and medication adherence, in comparison with the effects of exposure to another primary medication information source, physicians. Survey data obtained from patients on blood thinner regimens revealed that the frequency of exposure to health information in mass media was negatively related to accuracy of patients’ beliefs about their medication benefits and patient medication adherence. On the other hand, frequency of visits with physicians was positively associated with patients’ beliefs about their medication benefits but had no significant relation to medication regimen adherence. The implications of the study findings are discussed, and methodological limitations and suggestion for future research are presented.

Factors Associated with Medication Non-adherence in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease.

Low medication adherence is known to contribute to worse health outcomes in the general population. We aimed to evaluate the medication regimen and determine the adherence levels among patients with end-stage liver disease. We measured adherence in patients awaiting liver transplantation at a single center using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), with a score <8 classified as low adherence. Medication regimen complexity was assessed using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) tool. Factors associated with low adherence were identified by logistic regression. Of 181 patients, 33% were female, median age was 62, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 13. The median (IQR) number of medications was 10 (7-13), and the MRCI was 19 (13-27). In total, 54 (30%) were high adherers, and 127 (70%) were low adherers. In total, 42% reported sometimes forgetting to take their medication and 22% reported intermittent adherence within the past 2weeks. The most common reasons for low adherence were: forgetfulness (27%) and side effects (14%). Compared to high adherence, low adherence was associated with higher number of medications, medication complexity, and diabetes, but lower rates of hepatocellular carcinoma and self-perceived health. In univariable logistic regression, total medication number (OR 1.08), MRCI (OR 1.04), diabetes (OR 2.38), HCC (OR 0.38), and lower self-perceived health (OR 1.37), were statistically significant factors associated with non-adherence. In multivariate analysis, only medication number without supplements (OR 1.14) remained significantly associated with medication non-adherence. A majority of patients awaiting liver transplantation demonstrated low medication adherence. Total number of medications and regimen complexity were strong correlates of low adherence. Our data underscores the need for chronic liver disease management programs to improve medication adherence in this vulnerable population.

Comorbid depression is differentially associated with longitudinal medication nonadherence by race/ethnicity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the study was to examine whether depression impacts medication nonadherence (MNA) over time and determine if race has a differential impact on MNA in patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid depression.Generalized estimating equations were used with a longitudinal national cohort of 740,197 veterans with type 2 diabetes. MNA was the main outcome defined by <80% medication possession ratio for diabetes medications. The primary independent variable was comorbid depression. Analyses were adjusted for the longitudinal nature of the data and covariates including age, sex, marital status, and rural/urban residence.In adjusted models, MNA was higher in non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) (odds ratio [OR] 1.58 [95% confidence interval—CI: 1.57, 1.59]), Hispanics (OR 1.34 [95% CI: 1.32, 1.35]), and the other/missing racial/ethnic group (OR 1.37 [95% CI: 1.36, 1.38]) than in non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). In stratified analyses, the odds of MNA associated with depression were highest in NHWs (OR 1.14 [95% CI: 1.12, 1.15]) and were significantly associated in the other 3 minority racial/ethnic groups. MNA was lower in rural than urban NHWs (OR 0.91 [95% CI: 0.90, 0.92]), NHBs (OR 0.92 [95% CI: 0.91, 0.94]), and the other/unknown racial/ethnic group (OR 0.89 [95% CI: 0.88, 0.90]), but higher in rural Hispanic patients (OR 1.12 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.14]).Depression was associated with increased odds of MNA in NHWs, as well as in minority groups, although associations were weaker in minority groups, perhaps as a result of the high baseline levels of MNA in minority groups. There were also differences by race/ethnicity in MNA in rural versus urban subjects.

PWE-009 Current Practice and Clinicians’ Perception of Medication Non-Adherence in Patients with IBD

Introduction Non-adherence to IBD maintenance medication occurs in 30–45% with mesalazine (5 ASA), 15–20% with immunomodulators (IMM), 5–10% with biologics (BIOL); yet clinicians struggle to detect and address non-adherence. Little is known how clinicians perceive the issue of non-adherence and how they address adherence questions (screening and interventions). This survey ascertains perceptions and describes current practice. Methods Consultant gastroenterologists, trainees and IBD specialist nurses from the UK were invited to a web based survey. Data were collected on clinician demographics, patient volume and level of interest in IBD. We assessed perception of non-adherence by overall impression and asked respondents to estimate non-adherence for 5 ASA, IMM and BIOL therapy. Current practice assessment included use of screening tools and interventions to improve adherence. Results Of 98 respondents (53.1% were female, 53.1% Non-adherence was seen as an infrequent problem by 57%. Older respondents saw non-adherence as an infrequent problem more often (p = 0.006). The level of non-adherence was estimated as lower than evidence suggests by 31% of respondents for 5 ASA, 28% for IMM and 23% for BIOL. Respondents reporting non-adherence to be a frequent problem were more likely to report adherence levels in line with established evidence (5 ASA p Respondents stated forgetfulness, beliefs about necessity of medication and not immediately apparent benefits as the main reasons for non-adherence. While 80% regarded screening as important only 25% screen regularly. Only 40% used validated assessment tools. Patient counselling on benefits and risks of medication was the most commonly used intervention. Conclusion Clinicians treating IBD patients frequently underestimate non-adherence and use of validated screening tools is infrequent. This phenomenon occurs across grades and professions. Most respondents identified the main factors associated with non-adherence in line with evidence and counselled patients accordingly. Professional education should focus more on non-adherence practice to avoid adverse treatment outcomes associated with non-adherence. Disclosure of Interest S. Boughdady: None Declared, A. Soobraty: None Declared, C. Selinger Grant/research support from: Abbie, Warner Chilcott, Consultant for: Abbie, Warner Chilcott, Dr Falk, Takeda, Speaker bureau with: Abbie, Warner Chilcott, MSD, Takeda

Prevalence and Predictors of Medication Non-Adherence in Patients of Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence from A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: A high level of adherence to prescribed medication is essential to obtain the desired outcomes in patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Non-adherence to medication leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Non-adherence to medication has not been studied extensively in patients of CKD in India. Objective: To study the prevalence and predictors of medication non-adherence in patients of CKD. Method: Medication non-adherence was studied with the help of Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) through a cross sectional study. Patients, aged 18 yrs or more, diagnosed with CKD according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition, and willing to participate in the study were included. On the basis of MMAS-8 scores, patients were classified to have high, medium and low adherence. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the various factors affecting adherence to drug therapy in CKD patients. Results: A total of 150 patients were included in study. Only 22% of the patients had high adherence to medications. Of all, 55% and 23% of the patients belonged to low and medium adherence, respectively. Adherence to drug therapy was found significantly different in different stages of CKD, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI) categories, hemodialysis status, co-morbidities, treatment funding and in patients of different socioeconomic status. Forgetfulness was found to be most common reason for non-adherence, while maximum non-adherence were reported for antihypertensive medications. Pill burden, age, literacy, reimbursement, medication by caregivers was found to significantly affecting the medication adherence. Conclusion: Medication non adherence was found to be highly prevalent in patients of CKD.

Electronic medical record and glaucoma medications: connecting the medication reconciliation with adherence.

PurposeTo evaluate consistency in documentation of glaucoma medications in the electronic medical record and identify which regimen patients adhere to when inconsistencies exist. Factors contributing to medication nonadherence are also explored.MethodsRetrospective chart review of medication adherence encompassing 200 patients from three glaucoma physicians at a tertiary referral center over a 1-month period. Adherence was determined by the consistency between a patients stated medication regimen and either the active medication list in the electronic medical record, or the physicians planned medication regimen in the preceding clinic visit. Patient charts were also reviewed for patient sex, age, primary language, race, and total number of medications.ResultsA total of 160 charts showed consistency in documentation between the physician note and electronic medication reconciliation. Of those patients, 83.1% reported adherence with their glaucoma medication schedule. When there was a discrepancy in documentation (40 charts), 72.5% patients followed the physician-stated regimen vs 20% who followed neither vs 7.5% who followed the medical record (P<0.01). No difference in adherence was observed based on sex (P=0.912) or total number of medications taken (P=0.242). Language, both English- (P=0.075) and Haitian (P=0.10) -speaking populations, as well as race, Caucasian (P=0.31), African-American (P=0.54), and Hispanic (P=0.58), had no impact on medication adherence. Patients over 80 years of age were more nonadherent as compared to other decades (P=0.04).ConclusionInconsistent documentation between the electronic medical record physician note and medication regimen may contribute to patient medication nonadherence. Patients over 80 years of age were associated with higher rates of nonadherence, while sex, total number of medications, race, and language had no interaction with medication adherence.

Baseline characteristics and hospitalizations in patients with schizophrenia receiving olanzapine long-acting injection: an interim analysis from a non-interventional, prospective observational safety study.

BackgroundDepot antipsychotics are a treatment option for medication nonadherence in patients with schizophrenia. Nonadherence can lead to increased relapse and hospitalization rates. This article reports hospitalization data before and after initiation of olanzapine long-acting injection (LAI), a depot antipsychotic.MethodsData were assessed from an ongoing, multinational, prospective, observational post-authorisation safety study being conducted to evaluate post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS), an adverse reaction that can occur following injection of olanzapine LAI. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with schizophrenia, were prescribed olanzapine LAI, and lived outside the United States. Psychiatric hospitalization and medication data were collected retrospectively for the 6-month period before study entry and prospectively throughout the study. Paired t-tests and McNemar’s tests were used to assess changes in hospitalization incidence and duration. Stepwise Cox proportional hazards models assessed factors associated with hospitalizations. Analyses were based on data from the first 3 years of the continuously enrolling study (N = 668).ResultsThe average duration of olanzapine LAI exposure for all patients was 0.768 years. Of the 529 patients who received at least 1 injection of olanzapine LAI and were not hospitalized at study entry, 8.1 % had at least 1 subsequent psychiatric hospitalization with a mean duration of 2.0 days. Of the 288 patients who had a >6-month follow-up, 8.3 % had at least 1 post-baseline psychiatric hospitalization with a mean duration of 2.3 days. The incidence of hospitalizations in the 6-month period after treatment was significantly lower than that in the 6-month period prior to treatment (8.3 vs 32.6 %, respectively; P < 0.001). Furthermore, mean hospitalization duration decreased from 11.5 days in the 6-month period before treatment to 2.3 days in the 6-month period after treatment (P < 0.001). Psychiatric hospitalization in the prior 12 months (P < 0.0001) and recreational drug use within 24 h of baseline visit (P = 0.015) were identified as potential predictors of time to first psychiatric hospitalization after beginning to take olanzapine LAI. At the time of interim analysis, 5 PDSS events had occurred, which was too few for a full analysis of those events.ConclusionsResults indicate a significant reduction in the incidence and days of hospitalization from the 6-month period before to the 6-month period after olanzapine LAI initiation, which suggests reduced relapse and hospitalization during treatment. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the observational nature of the study and use of retrospective baseline data.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0669-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PDB45 - Cost of Medication Nonadherence in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

PDB45 - Cost of Medication Nonadherence in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Current and remitted depression and anxiety disorders as risk factors for medication nonadherence.

To investigate the impact of current and remitted depression and anxiety disorders and sociodemographic and other related factors on medication nonadherence in a large cohort study. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale was used to assess medication nonadherence of 1,890 medication users in the 4-year follow-up assessment of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, which was conducted between 2008 and 2011. Psychiatric diagnoses according to the DSM-IV, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and medication use were determined. Medication nonadherence was defined by the tendency to forget a dose, change the dose, stop for a while, skip 1 dose, or take a smaller dosage than prescribed. Overall medication nonadherence was 44%. In multivariate analyses, all current and remitted depression and anxiety diagnoses were risk factors for medication nonadherence as compared to subjects never having had a depressive or anxiety diagnosis (P < .05). Age (OR = 0.85, P < .001) and antidepressant use (OR = 0.66, P = .001) were associated with less medication nonadherence. Alcohol dependence (OR = 1.67, P = .05) and the number of dietary supplements (OR = 1.18, P = .02) proved risk factors for medication nonadherence. Associations of anxiety diagnosis with medication nonadherence were mainly driven by depression diagnosis. All current and remitted depression and anxiety disorders were risk factors for medication nonadherence. Since these disorders are highly comorbid with other medical conditions, health care workers should address medication nonadherence in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders, even in those who are in symptomatic remission.

Incidence and factors associated with medication nonadherence in patients with mental illness: a cross-sectional study.

Background:In spite of the progress made in the treatment of psychiatric disorders during the last few decades, nonadherence continues to be a frequent phenomenon, often associated with potentially severe clinical consequences and increased health-care costs. There are numerous factors associated with medication nonadherence in patients with mental illness. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with medication nonadherence among psychiatric outpatients.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out in the outpatient psychiatric department of an Indian tertiary care private hospital over a period of 1 year. Patients aged 18 years and above who presented with mental illness as diagnosed by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 and who were receiving at least one psychotropic medication for at least 1 month were included in the study. Medication adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS).Results:Of the 400 patients, 172 (43%) were nonadherent to their prescribed medications. There is a statistically significant association between the education (P = 0.001), number of drugs (P = 0.002), family income (P = 0.013), and nonadherence. Among the 172 patients, 33.5 % were nonadherent to their therapy due to patient-related factors followed by drug-related factors (32%) and disease-related factors (31%).Conclusion:The overall incidence of medication nonadherence in patients with mental illness was 43%. Numerous factors contributed to medication nonadherence. Strategies need to be developed and implemented to enhance medication adherence, and thereby achieve a better therapeutic outcome in patients with mental illness.

Anxiety sensitivity and medication nonadherence in patients with uncontrolled hypertension

ObjectiveAnxiety sensitivity—fear of the negative social, physical, or cognitive consequences of anxiety related sensations—has been linked to cardiovascular disease and adverse cardiovascular health behaviors. Medication nonadherence may account for this association. We examined whether anxiety sensitivity was independently associated with objectively measured medication nonadherence in a multi-ethnic primary care sample. MethodsEighty-eight patients with uncontrolled hypertension completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index and had their adherence to blood pressure (BP) medications measured during the interval between two primary care visits using an electronic pillbox (MedSignals®). Multivariable Poisson regressions were conducted to determine the relative risks of medication nonadherence associated with anxiety sensitivity after adjustment for age, gender, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, education, total number of prescribed medications, and depressive and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. ResultsNearly twice as many patients with high anxiety sensitivity were nonadherent to BP medications compared to patients with low anxiety sensitivity (65.0% vs. 36.8%; p=0.03). Patients with high anxiety sensitivity had higher relative risks of medication nonadherence than their low anxiety sensitivity counterparts (adjusted relative risk [RR]=1.76; 95% CI: 1.03–3.03). ConclusionsIn this first study of the association between anxiety sensitivity and medication adherence, we found that high anxiety sensitivity was strongly associated with BP medication nonadherence, even after adjustment for known confounders. Our results suggest that teaching patients who have uncontrolled hypertension adaptive strategies to manage their anxiety sensitivity may help improve their medication adherence, and thereby lower their cardiovascular risk.

OP0005-HPR Perceived Need to Take Medication is Associated with Medication Non-Adherence in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BackgroundAdherence to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is suboptimal and ranges from 22% to 107%. As non-adherence can result in more disease activity and a...