The effect of drug information leaflets on patient behavior.
BACKGROUND
The patient package insert, an information leaflet included by law in the packaging of prescription drugs, contains information for the user on the specific medication.


OBJECTIVE
To explore how patient information leaflets influence patient anxiety and adherence.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted in the practices of 15 family physicians. All patients receiving a new prescription for antibiotics, analgesics or antihypertensives were included. Physicians completed a questionnaire containing demographic data, assessment of the patient's anxiety, a prediction regarding adherence to the treatment, and response to the information leaflet. Patients were contacted by telephone for a follow-up structured interview. Patients' reactions to the information leaflet, adherence to treatment, and use of other sources of information on medication were assessed.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 200 patients. The patient information leaflet was read by 103 of them (51.5%). A higher educational level and a chronic medication were associated with reading the leaflet (P= 0.02 and 0.01 respectively). In 36 (34.9%), an increase in anxiety was reported after reading the leaflet. Among those who read the leaflet, 9.7% had decreased adherence. Patients who stated that reading the leaflet caused anxiety were more likely to reduce their use of the medication--7/36 (19.5%) vs. 3/67 (4.5%), P= 0.01.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of patients reading the drug information leaflet is about 50%, lower than that found in previous studies. Reading the leaflet did not greatly affect adherence but aroused anxiety and decreased adherence in some patients.
Vinker
Shlomo
S
Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. vinker01@zahav.net.il
Eliyahu
Vered
V
Yaphe
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents