Factors Influencing Medication Adherence and Status of Medication Use of the Elderly with Chronic Disease Taking Non-opioid Analgesics

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigates the status of medication use of the elderly with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics and attempts to identify factors influencing medication adherence. METHODS: Data were collected from September 1 to October 19, 2016. A structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interview with a convenience sample of 161, elderly people with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics. The survey included questions about status of medication use, medication adherence, symptom experience, depression and family function. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with IBM SPSS 23.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease was 4.48±2.35. Experiences of side effects (β=.31, p<.001), use of over-the-counter pain medication (β=.19, p=.009), and family function (β=.16, p=.031) were identified as significant predictors. The final model explained 18.0% of the variation of medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease taking non-opioid analgesics (F=12.30, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Therefore, as a strategy to improve medication adherence of the elderly with chronic disease, therapeutic intervention should be developed to improve family function and to manage with personalized plans considering experiences of side effects and use of over-the-counter pain medication.