title: Self-reported medication adherence and beliefs among elderly in multi-treatment: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between adherence to treatment and beliefs about medications in multi-treated elderly patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A large body of evidence documented the importance of adherence to therapy in predicting clinical outcomes, and the association between adherence and medication beliefs in patients of various ages and with different health conditions. However, so far only a few studies have specifically investigated the associations between medication beliefs and adherence among elderly in polypharmacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this multicenter cross-sectional study we used the MMAS-8 and BMQ Scales to assess medication adherence and beliefs about medications, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final sample consisted of 567 patients. Patients reporting higher levels of necessity or concerns about their medicines showed higher adherence (OR: 1.61, and 2.02, respectively; both p<.001). Accepting patients (high necessity and low concerns) were less likely (OR: 0.24; p<.001) to report adherence than ambivalent ones (high necessity and concerns).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medication adherence is related to high necessity and concern about treatment. In nursing practice it is important to understand the specific barriers to adherence and to engage patients in the implementation of strategies to improve adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; ASL02Abruzzo, "Health Professionals Service", Chieti, Via Dei Martiri Lancianesi 17/19, 66100 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: g.cicolini@unich.it.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cicolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: dania.comparcini@unich.it.
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comparcini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Flacco
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.affiliation: ASL Salerno, "Physical Therapy Unit", Salerno, Via Nizza 146, 84124 Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: carlo.new@libero.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy. Electronic address: v.simonetti@unich.it.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Simonetti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Belief; Cross-sectional design; Elderly; Medication adherence; Nursing; Polypharmacy