title: Patient race, reported problems in using glaucoma medications, and adherence.
abstract: Objective. The objectives of the study were to (a) describe various factors potentially related to objectively measured adherence to glaucoma medications and self-reported glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy and (b) examine the relationship between patient race, the number of patient reported-problems, and adherence in taking their glaucoma medication. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at two glaucoma subspecialist referral ophthalmology practices. Methods. We measured subjects' reported problems in using glaucoma medications, adherence to glaucoma medications utilizing the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS) devices, and general glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy using a previously validated 10-item scale. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results. Seventy-one percent of patients self-reported at least one problem in using their glaucoma medications. White patients were more than 3 times more likely to be 80% adherent in using their glaucoma medications than non-White patients. Patients who had glaucoma longer reported significantly higher glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy. Patients who reported more problems in using their medications had significantly lower glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy. Conclusions. Eye care providers should assess patient reported problems and glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy and work with patients to find ways to reduce the number of problems that patients experience to increase their self-efficacy in using glaucoma medications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA ; Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB No. 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA.
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sleath
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Blalock
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Alcon Research Ltd., Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Covert
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Asheley Cockrell
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA ; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Robin