Medisur (Jun 2012)
Non-compliance with Drug Therapy in Patients with Primary Open-angle Glaucoma
Abstract
Background: Early treatment and patient’s compliance with this treatment are the most effective ways of preventing glaucoma related blindness. Objectives: To identify the behavior of patients` compliance or non compliance with the treatment in cases of primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: A descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted including 106 patients with confirmed primary open-angle glaucoma who were treated at the Glaucoma Service of the Dr. Salvador Allende Hospital in Havana during the first quarter of 2011. We analyzed the following variables: age, sex, educational level, personal pathological antecedents and family history of glaucoma, treatment and treatment compliance and self-reported general health condition and vision. Results: Average age among patients was 60.7 years old, 72.7% were women and 51.9% did not comply with drug treatment. 91, 6% of patients used monotherapy and 73.6% used timolol alone or in combination with another drug. 68, 9% had a family history of glaucoma. Hypertension (51, 1%) was the most commonly reported chronic disease. The most referred self-assessment of general health and vision was that of regular (42, 5% and 49, 1% respectively). Conclusions: More than half of patients did not comply with drug therapy as indicated for the control of the disease. This behavior was associated with age in the cases included in this study.
