Measurement complexity of adherence to medication

Measurement complexity of adherence to medication Letter (2007) Total Article Views Authors: Galato D, Schuelter-Trevisol F, Piovezan AP Published Date April 2012 Volume 2012:8 Pages 169 - 171 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S30849 Received: 14 February 2012 Accepted: 15 February 2012 Published: 02 April 2012 Dayani Galato, Fabiana Schuelter-Trevisol, Anna Paula Piovezan Master Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (Unisul) Tubar o, Santa Catarina, Brazil Adherence to pharmacologic therapy is a major challenge for the rational use of medicines, particularly when it comes to antiretroviral drugs that require adherence to at least 95% of prescribed doses.1 Studies in this area are always important and contribute to medication adherence understanding, even though there is no reference test for measuring this. Recently, an article was published in this journal that proposes the determination of lamivudine plasma concentration to validate patient self-reported adherence to antiretroviral treatment.2 In that study, serum levels obtained after 3 hours of ingestion of the last dose of the drug were compared with patient reports that were classified into different levels of adherence, based on their recall of missed doses in the previous 7 days. It was hypothesized by the authors that the use of a biological marker for drug adherence was extremely important, given the relevance of the topic. However, we would like to draw attention to some points that may determine the success of the use of similar methods for this purpose. The formation of groups with similar anthropometric characteristics is relevant since the dose of lamivudine may have to be changed, depending, for example, on sex, weight, and age.3 Even information considered important by the authors of that study was not provided. There is a need for greater clarity on the eligibility criteria, especially with regard to the clinical stage of the disease, CD4 counts and viral load, associated diseases, and comorbidity, as well as the evaluation of kidney function and other medications used that can affect lamivudine pharmacokinetics.3 View original paper by Minzi and colleagues Post to: Cannotea Citeulike Del.icio.us Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Readers of this article also read: Evidence-based decision-making within the context of globalization: A “Why–What–How” for leaders and managers of health care organizations Morgellons disease: Analysis of a population with clinically confirmed microscopic subcutaneous fibers of unknown etiology Long-term treatment of bipolar disorder with a radioelectric asymmetric conveyor Comparison of two treatments for coxarthrosis: local hyperthermia versus radio electric asymmetrical brain stimulation Radio electric asymmetric brain stimulation in the treatment of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer disease Acamprosate for treatment of alcohol dependence: mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical utility Boceprevir and telaprevir for