title: Noncompliance with arthritis drugs: magnitude, correlates, and clinical implications.
abstract: Objective information on arthritis drug compliance in usual care settings is sparse. Of "causes" of poor compliance, regimen complexity has received special attention. We used a previously validated pharmacy-based compliance measure to study compliance in an arthritis clinic. Across drugs, mean compliance was low (64%). Wide variations were seen among drugs, ranging from 55% mean compliance (indomethacin) to over 80% (prednisone, penicillamine). Major variations by diagnosis were also found, with rheumatoid arthritis patients more compliant than others. Regimen complexity was a relatively weak correlate of compliance, and the overall level of arthritis drug compliance was similar to that reported for antihypertensive drugs.
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance