Potential adherence to treatment in gastroenterological patients

Abstract

Objective. To assess the level of potential adherence to treatment in patients with gastrointestinal syndromes.Material and Methods. The open-label, cross- sectional study included 264 respondents who underwent preventive examinations. To identify gastroenterological syndromes we used Gastrointestinal Simptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire, which allows assessing the presence and the intensity of diarrheal, dyspeptic, constipation, refl ux syndrome and abdominal pain syndrome. The study group includes respondents who, according to the results of the GSRS questionnaire, have at least one syndrome (from 2 or more points) (N = 140). The comparison group included participants without gastrointestinal syndromes (N = 124). The level of adherence was assessed using the Quantitative Adherence Assessment Questionnaire (QAA-25). A score of less than 50% corresponds to a low level of adherence; a score between 50% and 75% corresponds to a medium level of adherence. Of 75% and above is considered to be a high and suffi cient level of adherence in the respondent.Results. Absolutely all respondents demonstrated an insuffi cient level of adherence to both drug therapy and medical support and lifestyle modifi cations. One in ten study participants had an medium level of adherence. The other 90% of patients from all groups had a low level of compliance (less than 50%) in all three areas of treatment adherence.Conclusions. Participants in our study were potentially unprepared for adherence to treatment that is consistent with optimal protocols. This demonstrates the need to work with adherence, both using ways to increase adherence and using patientcentered approaches that take into account the individual level of adherence.