Abstract

ESSAY ON THERAPEUTIC ADHERENCE. A STATISCAL OVERVIEW

Dr. Gilberto Quinonez Palacio*, Dr. Jorge A. Alvealis Palacios, Dr. A. Lucresia R. Arzamendi Cepeda and M. A. Brenda Melissa Quiñonez Martínez

ABSTRACT

An analysis was done of the different definitions that appear in the medical and psychological literature to refer to the phenomenon of adherence to medical treatment. There are a set of terms, such as: compliance, collaboration, Alliance, accession and adherence, among others, to address the same aspect; issue which may lead to confusion among professionals, researchers, and patients. We discussed the way these terms are designed and used, especially: compliance with treatment and adherence. Measurement of adherence to treatment is required, however although the tools for this purpose are different, most of them do not meet its mission perfectly. Adhesion encompasses two concepts: compliance with dose and way of management and persistence in the duration of the prescribed treatment. One of the instruments of adhesion measurement is the pharmacy databases. A very useful self-administered questionnaire is the Morisky-Green questionnaire, validated in its Spanish version by Val Jimenez et al. This questionnaire consists of four simple and short questions. Recently electronic methods have been introduced that allow knowing when and at what time the patient takes the medication. Measurement of adhesion is not easy and it is necessary to use several methods at the same time to avoid the overestimation.

Keywords: Adhesion, Measurement tools, Treatment.