https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2524-4883
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate adherence to treatment in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Spain and to identify potential predictors of adherence.
Methods
An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study in outpatient clinics of Rheumatology Departments from 41 centers was conducted. A validated Spanish version of the compliance questionnaire in Rheumatology was used to measure adherence in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, representative of the Spanish population. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect predictors of adherence.
Results
A total of 859 patients were recruited. An adherence rate of 79% was established. No differences were detected in adherence in patients receiving biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs compared to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, in patients receiving intravenous therapies compared to other routes of administration and in patients treated in specific day hospitals compared to polyvalent day hospitals. The number of drugs and cohabitation were independent predictors of adherence.
Conclusion
An inexpensive and useful method was used to measure adherence in Spanish population. The adherence rate in rheumatoid arthritis is still suboptimal. Simpler, more convenient dosing regimens may improve compliance. Increased knowledge of compliance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the identification of possible predictors of adherence will allow to develop effective intervention strategies.
Acknowledgments
Alegre Sancho JJ, Almodovar Gonzalez R, Barbazan Alvarez C, Bernad Pineda M, Blanco Alonso R, Blanco Madrigal JM, Caliz Caliz R, Calvo Alen J, Calvo Catala J, Carrasco Cubero C, Castaño Sanchez M, Chamizo Carmona E, De Toro Santos FJ, Delgado Beltran C, Egües Dubuc A, Escudero Contreras A, Fernandez Nebro A, Gamero Ruiz F, Garcia Aparicio A, Hernandez Cruz B, Guerra Vazquez JL, Hernandez Miguel MV, Lopez Lasanta M, Marenco de la Fuente JL, Muñoz Fernandez Santiago, Navarro Blasco FJ, Nolla Sole JM, Ornilla Laraundogoitia E, Ortiz Garcia A, Pablos Alvarez JL, Perez Esteban S, Perez Garcia C, Roman Ivorra J, Romero Yuste S, Rosello Pardo R, Salvador Alarcon G, Tornero Molina J, Urruticoechea Arana A, Vela Casasempere P.
Disclosure
Dr Manuel Pombo-Suarez reports grants from Roche Farma S.A. Spain, during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.