H. Brus et al., Determinants of compliance with medication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the importance of self-efficacy expectations, PAT EDUC C, 36(1), 1999, pp. 57-64
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health
In this study we examine which factors are related to compliance with medic
ation in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients: perso
ns suffering recently developed, active RA, who cooperated in a randomized
study on the effect of patient education. We analyzed the relation between
adherence to Sulphasalazine therapy and personal factors, environmental inf
luences, demographic factors, disease-related factors, and barriers to comp
liance. Moreover, a logistical regression analysis was performed on these f
actors, considering greater than or equal to 80% a high compliance, both wi
th compliance as dependent factor. Only self-efficacy correlated with compl
iance (r = 0.58; P < 0.001). The logistical regression analysis identified
self-efficacy as the only factor determining greater than or equal to 80% a
dherence (P = 0.01). Self-efficacy regarding the use of prescribed medicati
on is related to compliance with this treatment. Further study is needed to
determine the test characteristics of self-efficacy as a predictor for com
pliance with medication. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.