Brief Papers
A survey on the medication adherence to methotrexate among rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with self-administered biologic drugs
K.J. Aaltonen1, J.H. Turunen2, T. Sokka3, K. Puolakka4, H. Valleala5
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. kalle.jm.aaltonen@helsinki.fi
- Research Department, Farenta Oy, Vantaa, Finland.
- Department of Rheumatology, Jyväskylä Central Hospital; and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
- Department of Medicine, South-Carelia Central Hospital, Lappeenranta, Finland.
- Department of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
CER9062
2016 Vol.34, N°4
PI 0694, PF 0697
Brief Papers
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PMID: 27213997 [PubMed]
Received: 21/10/2015
Accepted : 15/02/2016
In Press: 19/05/2016
Published: 14/07/2016
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Methotrexate (MTX) is the most widely used co-therapy among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). However, adherence to MTX treatment remains a concern with estimates of adherence ranging from 59 to 63%. The objective of this study was to assess the self-reported use and adherence to MTX among RA patients treated with self-administered bDMARDs.
METHODS:
An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted in 68 community pharmacies in Finland. To be included in the present study patients had to be at least 18 years old, be currently using a self-administered bDMARD and be diagnosed with RA. The results are presented as medians with their respective interquartile ranges (IQR) or percentages.
RESULTS:
Of the 158 pharmacy customers asked to participate, 135 (85%) consented to complete the questionnaire. The included respondents were predominantly female (72%) with a median age of 55 (IQR 44-65) and rheumatic activity of 3 out of 10 (IQR 2-6.5). The majority (91%) of the included respondents were using TNF-inhibitors and 27% of all patients were on biologic monotherapy. MTX was currently used by 45% of the respondents while 50% were past users. Of the current MTX users, 6.8% identified themselves moderately non-adherent to the treatment. MTX-related adverse events were important factors associated with nonadherence and discontinuation of the treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Only 45% of the respondents were currently using MTX co-therapy, but the ones who did were adherent to their treatment. Self-reported adherence may however be subject to social desirability bias and recall bias.