impact factor, citescore
logo
In press
In Press
Recent issue
Recent issue
Recent Supplement
Recent supplement
archives
Archives
articles free
Free to view
Search
Search
 

Full Papers

 

Illness perception as a determinant of medication adherence in adult Turkish patients with familial Mediterranean fever

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. sibely113@gmail.com
  2. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  3. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  4. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  5. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  6. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  7. Clinic of Rheumatology, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  8. Department of Family Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
  9. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

CER19236
Full Papers

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

PMID: 41562343 [PubMed]

Received: 24/08/2025
Accepted : 08/01/2026
In Press: 19/01/2026

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) requires lifelong colchicine therapy, yet suboptimal adherence remains a major challenge. Illness perception shaped by psychological representations of disease may affect adherence. This study aimed to investigate illness perception and adherence association in adult Turkish patients with FMF.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study included 304 adult FMF patients followed at Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital between 2022 and 2024. Medication adherence and illness perception were evaluated by Medication Adherence Scale for FMF (MASIF) and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS:
The cohort included 210 (69.1%) females and 94 (30.9%) males with a mean age of 35.8±12.1 years. Overall, 75.3% of patients showed good adherence, with a mean MASIF score of 67.1±9.6. Median Brief-IPQ score was 44 (IQR 16.0), the highest in the “timeline” domain and the lowest in “illness comprehensibility”. A significant negative correlation was found between MASIF and Brief-IPQ scores (r=-0.374, p<0.001). Patients with good adherence had significantly lower illness perception scores, particularly in “personal control”, “treatment control” and “illness comprehensibility” domains (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed these domains as independent predictors of adherence.
CONCLUSIONS:
Medication adherence among adult Turkish patients with FMF was relatively high but closely influenced by illness perception. Patients with clearer disease understanding and positive control beliefs demonstrated better adherence. Addressing illness perception through education and psychosocial support may enhance adherence and improve long-term outcomes in FMF.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/z97by2

Rheumatology Article