PATIENT COMPLIANCE WITH TENOXICAM IN FAMILY-PRACTICE

This study evaluated factors that may influence patient compliance and also confirmed tolerability and efficacy of tenoxicam in routine clin ical practice. Compliance in 1809 patients was evaluated over a 4-week period by physician pill-counts, patient assessment cards, and, for a subpopulation, by electronically monitored pill vials. In addition, p hysicians documented patient improvement and side effects after 2 week s and after 4 weeks of therapy; patients reported satisfaction with th erapy and side effects on a weekly basis. A total of 399 physicians pr ovided data on 1809 patients, of whom 84.3% had osteoarthritis, 12.6% had rheumatoid arthritis, and 3.2% had ankylosing spondylitis. The typ ical patient was a woman (64.9%), white (91.2%), in her 50s (mean age, 57.9 years), with a duration of osteoarthritis of at least 1 year (72 .3%). High and similar compliance rates were achieved by patients rega rdless of age, gender, or diagnostic category. Patient and disease cha racteristics were similar between compliant and noncompliant patients. Most patients (81.1%) experienced improvement of symptoms after 4 wee ks of treatment. A low incidence of side effects (12.6%) was reported, with no significant differences observed among patients with respect to age, gender, or diagnostic category. Product characteristics, such as tolerability, efficacy, and dosing regimen, are more significant fa ctors of compliance than patient or disease characteristics. Tenoxicam 's tolerability and clinical effectiveness were confirmed in patients with arthritis in routine clinical practice settings.