title: Assessment of patient adherence to anti-infective treatment after returning home.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The lack of patient adherence to medical treatment has become a major concern for healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization estimated patient adherence to treatment at 50% only. The inadequate use of antibiotics can cause bacterial resistance the progression of which reduces therapeutic alternatives. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the patient's adherence to anti-infective agents prescribed for acute infection, after returning home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients hospitalized in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases unit were included. Their adherence to anti-infective drugs was assessed indirectly through data collected by calling the pharmacy and the patient in the week following discontinuation of anti-infective treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients were identified as non-adherent (43.2%). A single patient could have several behaviors: extension of treatment (50%), dose modification (6.3%), voluntary omission (12.5%), and involuntary (6.3%). One patient (6.3%) did not take his anti-infective treatment. There was no major cause of non-adherence; every patient had his own reasons. The comparison of several criteria between adherent and non-adherent patients did not reveal any predictive risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study results revealed for the first time that 50% of patients were adherent to anti-infective agents, after returning home. They confirm the need to implement preventive actions such as a discharge pharmaceutical consultation.
authors.affiliation: Service de pharmacie, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Faure
authors.affiliation: Service de pharmacie, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leguelinel-Blache
authors.affiliation: Service de pharmacie, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.affiliation: Service de pharmacie, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poujol
authors.affiliation: Service de pharmacie, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kinowski
authors.affiliation: Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHU Caremeau, place du Pr-R.-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France. Electronic address: albert.sotto@chu-nimes.fr.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Adherence; Anti-infectieux; Anti-infective agents; Observance; Outpatient monitoring; Surveillance ambulatoire