title: [Evaluation tools of drug adherence for elderly subjects: towards a new pattern of scale].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medication non-adherence can be defined as a non-compliance with prescribed drugs. The characteristics of elderly people constitute major risk factors for non-adherence to medication. The aim of this study was to study the relevance of medication adherence scales that are identified in a previous work.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study was based on a previous work in which several adherence scales were identified. We reviewed articles that validated these scales to assess their performances and to measure their adaptation for elderly people.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight scales were studied, of whom five were validated in high blood pressure therapy. Intrinsic performance as well as construction and validation of scales were weak. Furthermore, none of these validation studies were conducted in elderly population aged 75 years and over. Four aspects appeared to be necessary for scale development: knowledge of the disease and its treatment, perception of the efficacy and tolerance of the treatment, getting the therapy, and drug administration. The use of an evaluation scale in elderly population should consider the living location, the ability of the subject to respond, and the presence of informal or formal caregivers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Existing scales seem to be weak and elderly characteristics are not considered. Validated adherence medication scales adapted for elderly people are thus needed.
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle Autonomie Longévité des Pays de la Loire, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vejux
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle Autonomie Longévité des Pays de la Loire, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galery
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle Autonomie Longévité des Pays de la Loire, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Binjamin
authors.affiliation: Département de médecine interne, Centre hospitalo-universitaire, Angers, France.
authors.forename: Alaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghali
authors.affiliation: Pôle hospitalo-universitaire de gérontologie clinique, Centre hospitalo-universitaire, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Decker
authors.affiliation: Gérontopôle Autonomie Longévité des Pays de la Loire, Nantes, France, Pôle hospitalo-universitaire de gérontologie clinique, Centre hospitalo-universitaire, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berrut
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: adherence evaluation questionnaire; adherence evaluation scale; drug adherence; drug compliance; elderly