THE STUDY ON THE MEDICAL ADHERENCE OF PATIENTS TO RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT

Abstract

Patients adherence to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis case is less than optimal (patients do not take their medications half of the time) and the economic costs are emphasizing this problem. A non-adherent patient is costly and time-consuming. It was demonstrated that every dollar spent improving adherence saves seven dollars in total healthcare costs. The level of adherence can be improved if we can understand the correlation between patients behavior in taking their medication and the advices from doctors providing medical services. In order to assess the correct adherence, it is necessary to start using pharmacoeconomic instruments such as CQR-19, DAS, Morisky scale etc. These tools will guide the conversation and alert the physician or the pharmacist to discuss any potential issues during the patient’s meeting. Patients who are involved in decisions about the medications they are prescribed are more likely to adhere their rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan. If medication costs are a barrier to adherence for the patients, they should use generic medicines. Other research wrote about the health impact of non-adherence and this analysis will emphasize the health-economics consequences of low adherence to medication-taking in rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• adherence
• rheumatoid arthritis
• cost-effectiveness
• economics consequences