Medication Adherence Pattern for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Benign prostate hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases and a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in aging men. Various disease management approaches to optimize the patient’s long life and efficient status where patient adherence to the prescribed treatment plays a vital role. This study evaluated the medication adherence pattern of the patients to obtain successful treatment outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in out-patient department of urology in a tertiary care hospital. Patients diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results: The high expenses of medicine, fear of medication, lack of symptomatic relief were factors that showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference between adherent and non-adherent group. Similarly, the duration of diagnosis of the adherent group was significantly less than the non-adherent group including the pattern of physical activities (p < 0.05). Adherent group also had more participants working in business and services occupation compared to the non-adherent group. Conclusion: The general attitude (such as fear of medication and lack of symptomatic relief) is seen as major factors that affect adherent pattern in benign prostate hyperplasia patients. These issues can be solved using proper guidance. However, the cost of medicines also posts an immense issue for the non-adherent group.

Keywords

• Adherence
• Benign prostate hyperplasia
• Lower urinary tract symptoms