Low adherence to treatment is a weak link in the problems of ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Aim. To determine factors of adherence to treatment in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods. The study was performed in the department of treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center from 2019 till 2021 years by surveying 1089 patients with UC. This analysis revealed patients with high adherence (HAP) and low adherence to treatment (LAP). Results. In the survey analysis was determined, that there were more low-adherence patients, than high-adherence patients [596 (59.6%) and 404 (40.4%), respectively, (р0.001)]. In the group of HAP (100%) were 297 women (73.5%) and 107 (26.5%) men (р0.001). Also in this group prevailed patients with duration of disease more 5 years 305 (75.5%) and extraintestinal manifestations 261 (64.6%); р0.001. In the group of LAP (100%) were more patients younger 44 years, with bad habits and who did not follow diet (р0.001). The rate of UC reccurence more than 1 time per year was higher in LAP group 430 (72.1%), versus 137 (33.9%) patients in HAP (р0.001). The frequency of surgical procedures in UC patients was significantly higher in LAP 12 (2.0%) in comparison with 2 (0.5%) in HAP group (р0.001). Conclusion. In our study was determined, that among UC patients, examined in the department of inflammatory bowel diseases, 60% patients had low adherence to treatment. High adherence to the treatment is statistically significantly associated with female gender, family accommodation, non-working patients, extraintestinal manifestations, additional medical maintenance. Low adherence to the treatment is associated with steroids, male gender, age less than 44 year, bad habits (smoking, alcohol consumption), higher education, complicated UC and frequency of reccurences.