Prevention of nonadherence to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Adherence to medications for chronic pediatric diseases decreases overtime. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a clinic-based, nurse-administered educational and behavioral intervention to prevent the anticipated drop in adherence to nonsteroidal medications among newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty-four participants completed the study (mean age = 8.44 years, SD = 3.96), including 19 in the experimental group and 15 in the standard-treatment (education) control group. There were significant group and Group x Time effects for adherence (assessed with an electronic monitor over a 13-month period) favoring the experimental group. In contrast, the groups did not differ significantly in disease activity or functional limitations. Factors that may have prevented detection of differences in these health parameters are dicussed.
Rapoff
Michael A
MA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7330, USA. mrapoff@kumc.edu
Belmont
John
J
Lindsley
Carol
C
Olson
Nancy
N
Morris
Judy
J
Padur
Joni
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal