Beliefs about medications: a questionnaire survey of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate beliefs about medications held by people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), what factors are related to these specific medication beliefs, and whether these beliefs influence adherence.


METHODS
The design was a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of people with RA. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to assess beliefs about the necessity of medication and concerns about it. Questionnaires were mailed to 600 out-patients with RA.


RESULTS
The response rate was 57.3%. Most (74.3%) respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their arthritis medications are necessary for their health. However, 47.4% were concerned about potential adverse consequences. The overall necessity score (mean 19.2, s.d. 3.13) was higher than the concerns score (mean 15.84, s.d. 3.53; P<0.001). Greater disability was associated with higher necessity scores (r = 0.36; P<0.001). Greater helplessness correlated with higher concerns scores (r = 0.49; P<0.001). There was no association between RA knowledge and beliefs about medications (necessity scale, r = 0.02, P = 0.66; concerns scale, r=-0.08, P = 0.14). Concerns scores for non-adherent participants (mean 17.88, s.d. 3.29) were higher than for the adherent group (mean 15.64, s.d. 3.51; P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Most people with RA have positive beliefs about the necessity of their medication. However, levels of concern are high and associate with helplessness and non-adherence. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire may identify people at risk of poor adherence and provide a focus for patients to discuss their beliefs, providing opportunities to improve adherence.
Neame
R
R
Department of Rheumatology, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, London Road, Derby DE1 2QY, UK.
Hammond
A
A
D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents