title: Determinants of compliance in rheumatoid arthritic patients assessed in their home environment.
abstract: Patient compliance with prescriber's medication instructions was investigated in 178 rheumatoid arthritis patients treated in community practice. The compliance rate in the sample subjects was estimated to be 63.5%. Disease activity, measured objectively with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and subjectively by duration of morning stiffness, was a major incentive for adherence to the treatment regimen. Among subjects with active disease (ESR greater than 20 mm in 1 h), the rate of compliance was 73.8%, but this fell to 52.7% among those with a normal ESR (i.e. ESR less than or equal to 20 mm in 1 h). The motivations and perceptions of the subjects concerning their drug therapy also affected compliance. Compliance was however less dependent on perceptions when active inflammation was present.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations