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Adherence (compliance) is the degree to which a patient follows a treatment regimen. For drugs, adherence requires that the prescription is obtained promptly and the drug is taken as prescribed in terms of dose, dosing interval, and duration of treatment. Patients should be told to alert their physician if they stop or alter the way they take a drug, but they rarely do so.
Only about half of patients who leave a physician's office with a prescription take the drug as directed. The most common reasons for nonadherence are
Many other reasons contribute to nonadherence (see Table 1: Concepts in Pharmacotherapy: Causes of Nonadherence ).
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Table 1
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| Causes of Nonadherence |
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Source
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Cause
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Patient
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Apathy
Concern about taking drugs (eg, adverse effects, addiction)
Denial of the disorder or its significance
Financial concerns
Forgetfulness
Misunderstanding of prescribing instructions
No faith in the drug's efficacy
Physical difficulties (eg, with swallowing tablets or capsules, opening bottles, or obtaining prescriptions)
Reduction, fluctuation, or disappearance of symptoms
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Drug
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Adverse effects (real or imagined)
Complex regimen (eg, frequent dosing, many drugs)
Inconvenient or restrictive precautions (eg, no alcohol or cheese)
Similar appearance of drugs
Unpleasant taste or smell
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Children are less likely than adults to adhere to a treatment regimen. Adherence is worst with chronic disorders requiring complex, long-term treatment (eg, juvenile diabetes, asthma). Parents may not clearly understand prescription instructions and, within 15 min, forget about half the information given by the physician.
The elderly adhere to treatment regimens as well as other adults. However, factors that decrease adherence (eg, inadequate finances, use of multiple drugs or drugs that must be taken several times a day) are more common among the elderly (see see Drug Therapy in the Elderly: Lack of patient adherence). Cognitive impairment may further decrease adherence. Sometimes a prescriber must be creative by picking a drug that is easier to use even though it may not be the first choice. For example, a clonidine patch applied weekly by a visiting nurse or family member may be tried for hypertension in patients who cannot adhere to a more preferable daily regimen of oral drugs.
The most obvious result of nonadherence is that the disorder may not be relieved or cured. Nonadherence is estimated to result in 125,000 deaths due to cardiovascular disorders each year in the US. If patients took their drugs as directed, up to 23% of nursing home admissions, 10% of hospital admissions, many physician visits, many diagnostic tests, and many unnecessary treatments could be avoided. In some cases, nonadherence can actually lead to worsening of disease. For example, missed doses or early cessation of antibiotic or antiviral therapy may lead to resistant organisms.
Pharmacists and nurses may detect and help solve adherence problems. For example, a pharmacist may note that a patient does not obtain refills or that a prescription is being refilled too soon. In reviewing prescription directions with the patient, a pharmacist or nurse may uncover a patient's misunderstandings or fears and alleviate them. Physicians can alter complicated or frequent dosing or substitute safe, effective, but less expensive drugs. Communication among all health care practitioners that provide care for a patient is important.
Last full review/revision January 2010 by Daniel A. Hussar, PhD
Content last modified February 2012
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