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Adherence and persistence: impact on outcomes and health care resources.

Non-adherence to and poor persistence with antiresorptive medication are significant problems in preventing adverse consequences of osteoporosis. Adherence rates for oral bisphosphonate therapy drop off dramatically during the first year of treatment and continue to decline thereafter. Inadequate adherence is associated with smaller decreases in rate of bone turnover, smaller bone mineral density (BMD) gains, and greater risk of fracture. Measures to improve patient adherence include improved physician/patient communication, close monitoring, and early intervention in declining adherence. Another approach is strengthening of patient commitment through reinforcement of the connection between treatment response and quality of life benefits. Use of biochemical markers of response or BMD measurements to illustrate response to patients may be useful in this regard. Simplification of treatment regimens would also be of considerable value in improving adherence and persistence.

Biomarkers↗

Alcohol use and HIV pharmacotherapy.

Alcohol consumption by individuals infected with HIV is an important medical management issue with significant implications for the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy as well as an important evolving field of HIV research. Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for poor medication adherence and can modify liver drug metabolism, both of which can lead to the emergence of drug-resistant virus. Research indicates that alcohol consumption greater than 50 g/day (four or five drinks) is a risk factor for liver disease progression among patients with HIV/HCV coinfection. In addition, alcohol-induced cirrhosis can result in changes in drug metabolism in the liver through compromised liver function. More research studies are needed to elucidate the biological and molecular basis of the clinical changes induced by alcohol consumption in HIV-infected individuals and on the relationship of these changes to the effectiveness of HIV pharmacotherapy. Specifically, research areas that are of particular importance are (1) determining alcohol consumption levels and patterns and its impact on antiretroviral medication adherence, efficacy, and physician prescribing practices; (2) identifying behavioral interventions to enhance adherence to HIV medications and reduce alcohol consumption; (3) clarifying the relationships and interactions among alcohol metabolism, HIV drug metabolism, and pharmacogenetics; (4) elucidating the extent of liver toxicity due to antiretroviral therapy and drug-drug interactions in individuals who consume alcohol; and (5) delineating the contribution of alcohol consumption to end-stage organ damage, particularly in HIV/HCV coinfection.

Alcoholism↗

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients who have had a myocardial infarction.

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risk factors for recurrent ischemia were evaluated in 65 survivors of a myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline and 6 months afterward. PTSD patients had more uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. Patients with PTSD (N=14) were offered trauma-focused cognitive-behavior treatment (CBT) plus a nonspecific intervention to improve adherence to medical recommendations. Adherence to aspirin improved in recipients of the nonspecific intervention (N=8); PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular risk improved in patients who received CBT (N=6). PTSD may be a treatable risk factor for poor post-MI outcome. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment options.

Aged↗

Effect of appointment scheduling and reminder postcards on adherence to mammography recommendations.

A brief, simple intervention designed to increase the adherence of female patients to their physicians' recommendations for screening mammograms was tested in several midwestern sites. Compared with a control group in which women were examined, told about mammography, and instructed to make an appointment for themselves, an intervention that scheduled appointments for women on the spot and followed up with a reminder postcard increased adherence at every site. Such an intervention, if implemented on a wide scale, would augment the value of screening mammography in controlling breast cancer.

Adult↗

How can we improve adherence to blood pressure-lowering medication in ambulatory care? Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Lack of adherence to blood pressure-lowering medication is a major reason for poor control of hypertension worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of interventions to increase adherence to blood pressure-lowering medication. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and searched for all-language publications in the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in April 2002. RESULTS: We included 38 studies testing 58 different interventions and containing data on 15 519 patients. The studies were conducted in 9 countries between 1975 and 2000. The duration of follow-up ranged from 2 to 60 months. Because of heterogeneity between studies in terms of interventions and the methods used to measure adherence, we did not pool the results. Simplifying dosing regimens increased adherence in 7 of 9 studies, with a relative increase in adherence of 8% to 19.6%. Motivational strategies were partly successful in 10 of 24 studies with generally small increases in adherence up to a maximum of 23%. Complex interventions comparing more than 1 technique increased adherence in 8 of 18 studies, ranging from 5% to a maximum of 41%. Patient education alone seemed largely unsuccessful. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the number of daily doses appears to be effective in increasing adherence to blood pressure-lowering medication and should be tried as a first-line strategy, although there is so far less evidence of an effect on blood pressure reduction. Some motivational strategies and complex interventions appear promising, but we need more evidence on their effect through carefully designed randomized controlled trials.

Ambulatory Care↗

Abnormal mammogram follow-up: a pilot study women with low income.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test an intervention (the Screening Adherence Follow-up Program [SAFe]) that was designed to reduce the number of known barriers to diagnostic follow-up adherence and initiation of treatment among women with low incomes who had abnormal mammogram findings. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The investigators developed and implemented a highly structured, theory- and evidence-based intervention that combined health education, counseling, and systems navigation, which was delivered by a team consisting of a peer counselor and a social worker who held a masters degree. A scripted baseline telephone interview identified potential barriers to follow-up adherence and provided counseling interventions for each patient. Patients were assigned to different service intensities based on the level of risk for nonadherence. Patients with significant mental health symptoms, psychosocial stressors, or who had received a diagnosis of cancer were referred to the team social worker for further assessment and intervention. Patients also received reinforcing telephone follow-up calls at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: An observational pilot study of SAFe (N = 605) in two large urban diagnostic centers showed that 71% of women receiving SAFe were Hispanic, 18% were Black, and 11% were from other ethnic backgrounds. Adherence rates through diagnostic resolution and the initiation of treatment for women who had received a diagnosis of cancer were 93% and 90%, respectively, at the two study sites. Rates of adherence among women who could not be located or who refused study consent were significantly lower (72% and 69%, respectively). The rate of timely adherence was also higher among the women served. Patient satisfaction with SAFe was generally high. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Study results support the combining of interventions and the practical utility of a clinical decision-making algorithm to determine individualized nonadherence risk and to assign service intensity based on individual need. Problems in locating women for enrollment were experienced.

Adult↗

Home visits to improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Few rigorously designed studies have documented the efficacy of interventions to improve medication adherence among patients prescribed highly active antiretroviral. Data are needed to justify the use of limited resources for these programs. METHODS: A 2-arm, randomized, controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a community-based, home-visit intervention to improve medication adherence. Participants were 171 HIV-infected adults prescribed a minimum of 3 antiretroviral agents. The majority had a past or current history of substance abuse. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive home visits for 1 year or usual care. Medication adherence was assessed with Medication Event Monitoring stem caps at 3-month intervals from randomization through 3 months after the conclusion of the intervention. RESULTS: A larger proportion of subjects in the intervention group demonstrated adherence greater than 90% compared with the control group at each time point after baseline. The difference over time was statistically significant (Extended Mantel-Haenszel test: 5.80, P = 0.02). A statistically significant intervention effect on HIV-RNA level or CD4 cell count was not seen, but there was a statistically significant association between greater than 90% adherence and an undetectable HIV-RNA over time (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Home visits from a nurse and a community worker were associated with medication adherence greater than 90% among a cohort of socially vulnerable people living with HIV/AIDS in northeastern United States.

Adult↗

Determinants of high and low attendance to diet and exercise interventions among overweight and obese older adults. Results from the arthritis, diet, and activity promotion trial.

BACKGROUND: Determinants of adherence to lifestyle regimens are ill understood. Attendance to intervention sessions is crucial for patients to acquire knowledge and skills regarding the core elements of an intervention. Therefore, we explored demographic, health-related, and social determinants of high and low attendance to diet and exercise sessions among overweight and obese patients with knee osteoarthritis (> or = 60 years; N = 206). METHODS: The Arthritis, Diet, and Activity Promotion Trial was an 18-month randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of dietary weight loss and exercise interventions. We conducted chi-square and t-tests, and logistic regression analyses on categories of short- and long-term attendance to intervention sessions. RESULTS: Over the 18-month duration of the study, 60.7% (+/- 28.5) of diet sessions, and 53.2% (+/- 29.0) of exercise sessions were attended. Not being married, low social participation, and single intervention randomization predicted high attendance to diet sessions during months 1-4. Exercising at home, and single intervention randomization predicted high attendance to exercise sessions during months 5-18. High attendance to sessions early in the intervention was a significant determinant of high session attendance thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Offering people a choice where to exercise, and stimulating early intervention session attendance can be effective in improving long-term attendance to both interventions. Several determinants we found may be amenable to change to enhance intervention adherence of future randomized controlled trials involving dietary weight loss and/or physical exercise.

Aged↗

Enhanced provider communication and patient education regarding return to work in cancer survivors following curative treatment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: For employed cancer survivors, returning to work and maintaining employment is an important aspect of their quality of life. We developed an intervention aimed at enhancing this by means of (a) providing the patient with an educational leaflet on return to work and (b) enhancing communication between attending and occupational physicians. The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of this intervention and to examine the relation of patient adherence to the advice of the leaflet and return to work. METHODS: A patient series of 35 employed cancer survivors was used to evaluate the intervention. Survivors completed a baseline questionnaire prior to their treatment. Survivors and occupational physicians were interviewed by telephone eight weeks following all curative treatment. Our measure of feasibility included satisfaction of survivors with the intervention, adherence to the advice, time to return to work, satisfaction of occupational physicians with the intervention, and perceived influence on their rehabilitation efforts. RESULTS: Interviews of 26 survivors and 24 occupational physicians, revealed that those groups perceived the leaflet as useful (i.e., 7 on a 0-10 scale. Also seven out of ten suggestions in the leaflet was adhered to and half of the occupational physicians perceived the guidance they provided was helpful. However there was no effect of level of adherence on actual return to work. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the approach used. However level of adherence to educational leaflet was not associated with an improvement in return to work in cancer survivors.

Adult↗

Improved adherence to Swedish national guidelines for acute myocardial infarction: the Quality Improvement in Coronary Care (QUICC) study.

BACKGROUND: The adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still suboptimal. Therefore, we designed a study to evaluate the effects of a collaborative quality improvement (QI) intervention on the adherence to AMI guidelines. The intervention used a national web-based quality registry to generate local and regular real-time performance feedback. METHODS: A 12-month baseline measurement of the adherence rates was retrospectively collected, comprising the period July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002. During the intervention period of November 1, 2002, through April 30, 2003, multidisciplinary teams from 19 nonrandomized intervention hospitals were subjected to a multifaceted QI-oriented intervention. Another 19 hospitals, unaware of their status as controls, were matched to the intervention hospitals. During the postintervention measurement period of May 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004, a total of 6726 consecutive patients were included at the intervention (n = 3786) and control (n = 2940) hospitals. The outcome measures comprised 5 Swedish national guideline-derived quality indicators, compared between baseline and postintervention levels in the control and QUICC intervention hospitals. RESULTS: In the control and QI intervention hospitals, the mean absolute increase of patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was 1.4% vs 12.6% (P = .002), lipid-lowering therapy 2.3% vs 7.2% (P = .065), clopidogrel 26.3% vs 41.2% (P = .010), heparin/low-molecular weight heparin 5.3% vs 16.3% (P = .010), and coronary angiography 6.2% vs 16.8% (P = .027), respectively. The number of QI intervention hospitals reaching a treatment level of at least 70% in 4 or 5 of the 5 indicators was 15 and 5, respectively. In the control group, no hospital reached 70% or more in just 4 of the 5 indicators. CONCLUSIONS: By combining a systematic and multidisciplinary QI collaborative with a web-based national quality registry with functionality allowing real-time performance feedback, major improvements in the adherence to national AMI guidelines can be achieved.

Aged↗

Provider-perceived barriers and facilitators for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) guideline adherence.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical practice guidelines have become a standard way of implementing evidence-based practice, yet research has shown that clinicians do not always follow guidelines. METHOD: As part of a larger study to test the effects of an intervention on provider adherence to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) guidelines, we conducted five focus groups at three Veterans Administration Medical Centers with 32 primary care providers, cardiologists, and internists to identify key barriers and facilitators to adherence of the guidelines. Using content analysis, responses were grouped into categories. RESULTS: The main perceived advantages of using the IHD guidelines were improvements in quality and the cost of care. Perceived barriers were the lack of ability of guidelines to manage the care of any one individual patient, the difficulty of accessing guidelines, and high workloads with many complex patients. While providers agreed on the benefits of aspirin, beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, barriers for use of these medications were lack of consensus about contraindications, difficulty in providing follow-up during medication titration, and lack of patient adherence. Sources of influence for guideline use were: professional cardiology organizations, colleagues, mainly cardiologists, and key cardiology journals. However, most providers acknowledged that following guidelines was a personal practice decision. CONCLUSIONS: While results validated the influences of using clinical practice guidelines, our results highlight the importance of ascertaining guideline-specific barriers for building effective interventions to improve provider adherence. An advisory panel reviewed results and, using a modified nominal group process, chose implementation strategies targeting key barriers.

Focus Groups↗

Adherence to nicotine replacement therapy versus quitting smoking among Chinese smokers: a preliminary investigation.

RATIONALE: There are over 300 million Chinese smokers, but use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is rare. On the other hand, data on the factors associated with quitting and adherence to NRT use are scarce in the East. OBJECTIVES: To describe adherence and other predictors of quitting smoking at the 12-month follow-up amongst Chinese smokers in Hong Kong. METHODS: Chinese smokers (1186) who attended the Smoking Cessation Health Centre from August 2000 through January 2002 were studied. Trained counsellors provided individual counselling and carried out follow-up interviews. We used structured questionnaires at baseline and at 1, 3 and 12 months and an intention-to-treat approach for analysis. RESULTS: Among those who received NRT (1051/1186), the prevalence of adherence (self-reported NRT use for at least 4 weeks) was 16% (95% confidence interval 14-18%). The 7-day point prevalence quit rate at 12 months (not smoking any cigarette during the past 7 days at the 12 month follow-up) was 27% (95% CI, CI 24-29%). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that adherence to NRT use, a higher income, good perceived health and having more confidence in quitting were significant predictors of quitting. The quit rate in the adherent group (40%) was greater than that of the non-adherent group (25%) (P<0.001). Older age, male, higher education, experience of NRT use, perceiving quitting as more difficult and willingness to pay were significant predictors of adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant smoking cessation rates can be achieved among Chinese smokers in a clinic-based smoking cessation service. The NRT adherence was low and low adherence was associated with a lower quit rate. Trials of interventions to improve adherence and increase quit rates are needed.

Adult↗

A Social Problem-Solving Model of Adherence to HIV Medications.

HIV medication adherence remains a challenge and limits the degree to which treatment benefit can be maximized. This study tested an explanatory model of HIV medication adherence using a social problem-solving (SPS) framework. Associations of SPS with adherence are hypothesized to be direct and/or indirect via psychological health. HIV+ adults were interviewed using validated measures of SPS, psychological health, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication adherence. Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used to test hypothesized relationships and to evaluate overall fit of the model to the data. SEM supported an indirect association (but not direct) of SPS on adherence via psychological health among the 545 HIV+ adults included in the analyses. Overall, the findings resulted in a model of adherence that offered very good fit to the data and correctly classified 97% of the cases as adherent versus nonadherent. Results support the use of SPS as a conceptual framework for understanding adherence to ART. Findings offer rationale and direction for SPS interventions to enhance adherence by improving psychological health. Such approaches, if effective, have the potential to positively impact psychological well being and adherence, thereby maximizing clinical benefit from treatment, which is linked to lower mortality from AIDS.

Adult↗

Update on the cost-effectiveness of screening for colorectal neoplasia.

Colorectal cancer is an ideal target for population screening because it is a prevalent disease with an identifiable precursor lesion that, when treated, favorably alters the natural history of the disease. Several strategies for screening have illustrated efficacy, including fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Cost-effectiveness analyses have been performed to determine whether the resources required to implement screening are justified by potential gains. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently commissioned a study on the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening, which revealed that screening was cost-effective compared to no screening. However, it could not be confirmed which strategy would save the most life-years, nor which was most cost-effective. Since publication of this review, several additional cost-effectiveness analyses have been performed. These studies confirm that screening average risk patients at age 50 by a variety of available strategies is likely to be reasonable by current standards for resource utilization, and that either colonoscopy every 10 years (or once at age 65) or the combination of annual fecal occult blood testing with sigmoidoscopy every 5 years are viable alternatives. Additional economic analyses have examined the use of aspirin chemoprophylaxis to prevent colorectal cancer either alone or as an adjunct to screening strategies. These studies reaffirm the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening, but illustrate that aspirin chemoprophylaxis is unlikely to be associated with gains for which society would be willing to pay. At present, the decision to choose one colorectal screening strategy over another is based on availability of screening modalities, patient and provider preferences, and associated adherence to screening recommendations. Assessment of preference and development of interventions to increase adherence to screening should be a focus of research in the future.

Journal Article↗

Tuberculosis control in resource-poor countries: have we reached the limits of the universal paradigm?

The aim of TB control is to break the cycle of transmission by treating TB cases as early and efficiently as possible. In its efforts to promote a model of worldwide TB control, WHO defined specific targets and launched the 'Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course' (DOTS) strategy as the main tool to reach them. However, the diversity of patients' attitudes towards the disease and the extreme variability of access to care, especially in resource-poor countries, are amongst the many factors of social context that profoundly affect the ability of control programmes to implement this policy effectively. There are multiple reports of TB control programmes using various types of intervention to promote adherence and enhance case-holding, but most of these interventions depend on external funding, which bring into question their long-term sustainability. In this paper, we address the problems related to operational variabilities in the implementation of the DOTS strategy in resource-poor countries and question the appropriateness of a universal paradigm for global TB control. This analysis is of particular importance as programmers consider using this model in the delivery of anti-retroviral therapies for the treatment of HIV in resource-limited settings.

Attitude to Health↗

A prospective study of predictors of adherence to combination antiretroviral medication.

OBJECTIVE: Adherence to complex antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for HIV treatment but difficult to achieve. The development of interventions to improve adherence requires detailed information regarding barriers to adherence. However, short follow-up and inadequate adherence measures have hampered such determinations. We sought to assess predictors of long-term (up to 1 year) adherence to newly initiated combination ART using an accurate, objective adherence measure. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of 140 HIV-infected patients at a county hospital HIV clinic during the year following initiation of a new highly active ART regimen. MEASURES AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured adherence every 4 weeks, computing a composite score from electronic medication bottle caps, pill count and self-report. We evaluated patient demographic, biomedical, and psychosocial characteristics, features of the regimen, and relationship with one's HIV provider as predictors of adherence over 48 weeks. On average, subjects took 71% of prescribed doses with over 95% of patients achieving suboptimal (<95%) adherence. In multivariate analyses, African-American ethnicity, lower income and education, alcohol use, higher dose frequency, and fewer adherence aids (e.g., pillboxes, timers) were independently associated with worse adherence. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, those actively using drugs took 59% of doses versus 72% for nonusers, and those drinking alcohol took 66% of doses versus 74% for nondrinkers. Patients with more antiretroviral doses per day adhered less well. Participants using no adherence aids took 68% of doses versus 76% for those in the upper quartile of number of adherence aids used. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all patients' adherence levels were suboptimal, demonstrating the critical need for programs to assist patients with medication taking. Interventions that assess and treat substance abuse and incorporate adherence aids may be particularly helpful and warrant further study.

Adult↗

Understanding and enhancing adherence in adults with diabetes.

This article reviews selected recent literature on adult diabetes patient-centered adherence to diabetes care recommendations. We describe more fully a limited number of articles that have particular lessons for diabetes clinicians and researchers. Each article was reviewed for methodology, adherence measures, and types of outcome data collected. This process produced a few studies evaluating an intervention to promote adherence, subsequent targeted behavior changes, as well as health outcomes. Using a standard measure of diabetes self-care adherence over multiple studies may be an important way to compare results across diverse interventions. Advances in research designs and measures show promising results for understanding and enhancing adherence in adults coping with diabetes. Much more behavioral research in diabetes is needed in order to significantly improve the health and quality of life in this population.

Adult↗

The long-term impact of a four-session work-site intervention on selected social cognitive theory variables linked to adult exercise adherence.

Many work-site physical activity interventions use theoretical variables in the design of their programs. Yet, these interventions do not document the degree of change in theoretical variables produced by the intervention. This study examined the construct validity of an intervention designed to affect social cognitive theory variables linked to exercise behavior. Construct validation methods were used to evaluate an instructional intervention composed of four 60-minute sessions delivered across 2 weeks. Increases were found in self-regulation skills, outcome-expectancy values, and self-efficacy for the treatment group. No significant increases were detected for the comparison group on any study variables. Sixty-seven percent of the treatment group was able to maintain exercise behavior across 12 months, whereas the comparison group declined in exercise participation from 68% to 25% across 12 months. The study revealed the intervention effective in producing the intended changes in social cognitive theory constructs. The analysis shows self-regulation-mediated exercise behavior.

Analysis of Variance↗