Adherence to glaucoma hypotensive therapy: patients' opinions on key factors of low compliance. Analytical multi-central study results

PURPOSE: To determine the main risk factors of noncompliance in glaucoma patients with different disease duration according to patients’ opinion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytical, multi-center study was conducted based on a survey of 616 patients with different glaucoma duration. The survey was carried out by 43 doctors from 7 countries. Questionnaires of patients included four main groups of risk factors for noncompliance. The rating of factors was evaluated by the average score, which patients assigned to this factor. The significance of 32 selected factors for non-compliance was evaluated using a point system from 10 (maximum significant factor) to 1 (minimum significant factor).

Analysis program: Statistica 8.0 (StatSoft Inc.,USA).

RESULTS: Data analysis revealed the leading factors for non-compliance according to patients’ opinion. They were factors of behavioral compliance (75%): lack of motivation; a complex instillation regime, changing the common way of life; lack of contact with the doctor; low degree of disease awareness; old and senile age. According to the patients themselves, the first place was occupied by factors related directly to treatment (40%), namely: current employment and employment at work; the number of bottles and the complicated mode of instillations, changing the common way of life; cost of drugs; the presence of side effects.

CONCLUSION: The proportion of low-grade patients, according to the answers of the patients themselves, is 24.4%, medium-sized — 74.4% and high-grade — 1.2%. The average treatment adherence in glaucoma patients was lower than expected. Understanding the main factors for non-compliance helps developing measures to increase it. The role of the joint work of the doctor and patient, aimed at achieving a common goal — improving the quality of treatment, is very important.

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