title: Factors affecting drug treatment compliance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We prospectively examined 100 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to calculate drug compliance rates, characteristics of compliant and non-compliant patients, and changes in compliance over time. Three assessments were obtained over a one-year follow-up. Detailed drug history of RA and for concomitant disease was queried. Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor values, Ritchie articular index, morning stiffness, and health assessment questionnaire were evaluated. Twenty-six patients (30.2%) were consistently compliant and 10 patients (11.6%) were consistently non-compliant. Older age was associated with a greater likelihood of compliance. Comparison of compliant and non-compliant groups revealed no statistically significant difference in distribution of gender, disease duration, and total number of pills taken for RA and/or total number of pills taken for any reason. In conclusion, compliance to drugs in RA patients is a common problem. Clinical and laboratory activity of RA had less influence on drug compliance. Older age is associated with a greater likelihood of compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health, Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, 57.sok 3/7 06510 Emek, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Reyhan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tuncay
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eksioglu
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cakir
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gurcay
authors.forename: Aytul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cakci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents