Adherence to pharmacological treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain in individuals aged 65 and older.
BACKGROUND
Medication nonadherence is a frequent problem in the treatment of chronic conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To study the adherence to pharmacological treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain, as well as factors and patient attitudes related to nonadherence in patients aged ≥65 years.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire among 100 patients aged ≥65 years by five family physicians at the Health Care Centre Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.


RESULTS
According to their own statements, 57% of the patients were nonadherent, while 84% exhibited some form of nonadherence on the Morisky scale. The patients reported a mean pain intensity of 6.6 ± 2.2 on a visual analog scale. The most common deviation from the prescribed therapy was self-adjustment of the dose and medical regimen based on the severity of pain. Polymedication correlated positively with nonadherence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most frequently prescribed medications. The majority of the participants (59%) believed that higher pain intensity indicates progression of the disease, and half of the participants believed that one can easily become addicted to pain medications. Nonadherence was associated with patient attitudes about addiction to analgesics and ability of analgesics to control pain. CONCLUSION.: High pain intensity and nonadherence found in this study suggest that physicians should monitor older patients with chronic nonmalignant pain more closely and pay more attention to patients' beliefs regarding analgesics to ensure better adherence to pharmacological therapy.
Office for monitoring and quality improvement, Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Filipa
F
Markotic
Edita
E
Cerni Obrdalj
Amra
A
Zalihic
Renata
R
Pehar
Zejna
Z
Hadziosmanovic
Gordana
G
Pivic
Sanja
S
Durasovic
Veronika
V
Grgic
Adriana
A
Banozic
Damir
D
Sapunar
Livia
L
Puljak
D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal