Racial differences in analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication adherence among patients with osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence of self-reported adherence to medications for osteoarthritis (OA) and racial differences in adherence.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional survey of 156 Black and White veterans who were taking medications for OA.


RESULTS
One quarter of participants reported sometimes forgetting to take their OA medications, 16% were sometimes careless about taking medications, and 27% sometimes stopped taking their medications when they felt better. Overall, 44% of participants reported at least one of these three behaviors. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for demographic factors, OA severity, participatory decision making (PDM), and side effects, Black patients were more likely to report at least one nonadherent behavior (odds ratio [OR] = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.03-4.91). Patients with greater PDM scores were slightly less likely to report nonadherent behavior (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91-0.99).


CONCLUSIONS
Additional research is needed to examine factors underlying racial differences in adherence, to guide effective interventions.
Dominick
Kelli L
KL
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NC 27705, USA. domin004@mc.duke.edu
Golightly
Yvonne M
YM
Bosworth
Hayden B
HB
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents