title: Predictors of adherence to secondary preventive medication in stroke patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to identify factors which predict adherence in stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a longitudinal study where 180 stroke survivors were assessed 1 year after their first ischaemic stroke. The relationship between adherence and illness and medication beliefs was tested at baseline (time 1) and again 5-6 weeks later (time 2).
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome measures used in this study are Medication Adherence Report Scale and urinary salicylate levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four variables predicted time 1 poor adherence: (1) younger age, (2) increased specific concerns about medications, (3) reduced cognitive functioning and (4) low perceived benefit of medication. Three out of these four variables were again predictive of time 2 adherence and accounted for 24% of the variance: (1) younger age, (2) increased specific concerns about medications and (3) low perceived benefit of medication. The urinary salicylate assay failed to differentiate between patients taking and not taking aspirin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions to improve adherence should target patients' beliefs about their medication.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Stirling, UK. reo1@stir.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ronan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Carroll
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Cathie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sudlow
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dennis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012459:Salicylates / Q000652:urine; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012459:Salicylates; D001241:Aspirin