title: Measuring adherence in a community-based elderly population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the reliability and validity of the Medication Adherence Individual Review-Screening Tool (MedAdhIR-ST) for assessing medication adherence in a community-dwelling elderly population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, observational pilot study comparing the reliability and validity of the MedAdhIR-ST and the Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ).
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent senior-housing apartments and senior centers in Wake County, North Carolina.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible subjects included individuals 60 years of age or older who were living in the community and managing their own medication regimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each subject was asked to participate in two assessment visits, two weeks (+/- 3 days) apart, in which the questions of the MedAdhIR-ST and MAQ were administered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medication adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both tools showed moderate-to-high test/retest reliability in the study population (correlation coefficient of 0.632 for MAQ, and 0.699 for MedAdhIR-ST), and moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's a of 0.551 and 0.584, respectively). Moderate concordance in the ability to assess adherence was observed between MedAdhIR-ST and MAQ (positive correlation coefficient of 0.450). When compared with refill records, MedAdhIR-ST was slightly more sensitive (67% vs. 43%) and specific (60% vs. 50%) for detecting adherence and nonadherence, respectively, compared with MAQ. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that MedAdhIR-ST is multidimensional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MedAdhIR-ST appears to be a reliable and valid tool for screening nonadherence in a community-dwelling elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Campbell University, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Penny S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Shelton
authors.forename: D Brian
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Mozingo
authors.forename: Patricia S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Avissar
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karg
authors.forename: Aubri L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Charboneau
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016903:Drug Monitoring