Adherence to Uric Acid Lowering Agent of Gouty Patients / 대한류마티스학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Gout is crystal-induced arthritis with hyperuricemia. Uric acid lowering agent (UALA) is the maintenance drug of its treatment. Drug adherence is an important factor that influences treatment outcome. The purpose this study was to examine the drug adherence to UALA of 303 gouty patients and to analyze the factors associated with compliance. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed adherence to UALA in 303 patients who visited three hospitals affiliated with Hallym University. Patients were diagnosed as gout and used UALA with at least 6 month follow-up. Two adherence measures were calculated, the percentage of days covered (PDC) and the time until an extended break (at least 60 days) in treatment. A PDC <70% was considered poor adherence and factors associated with poor adherence were examined. RESULTS: Among the 303 patients, 283 (93.4%) were male. Mean age was 55.4+/-13.7 years. Comorbidities included hypertension in 117 (38.6%), diabetic mellitus in 108 (35.6%), angina in 107 (35.3%), myocardial infarction in 108 (35.6%), and heart failure in 113 (37.3%). The mean PDC was 65.8% with 63.4% of patients considered poorly compliant over the study period. Mean treatment duration before an extended break occurred was 203.5 days. Factors associated with good adherence included hypertension and prescription from rheumatologist. CONCLUSION: In our study, adherence to UALA in gouty patient was poor. Understanding the factors associated with adherence to UALA and proper education of gouty patients to improve drug adherence are needed.