ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is the most widely used disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, medication adherence is variable and sub-optimal. Poor adherence affects 20-70% of patients. Adherence to MTX is the key to attaining the go...

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Main Authors: Ali Al-Tuma, Nizar Abdulateef Jassim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Education in Action Club 2022-03-01
Series:Global Journal of Public Health Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/146
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author Ali Al-Tuma
Nizar Abdulateef Jassim
author_facet Ali Al-Tuma
Nizar Abdulateef Jassim
author_sort Ali Al-Tuma
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is the most widely used disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, medication adherence is variable and sub-optimal. Poor adherence affects 20-70% of patients. Adherence to MTX is the key to attaining the goal of low disease activity or disease remission. The aim of the study is to determine adherence of RA patients to MTX when used as a monotherapy and when combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and to look for the factors that may positively and negatively affect adherence. Methods: An observational cross sectional study was conducted at Rheumatology Clinic/Baghdad Teaching Hospital over a period from January-June 2020. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with RA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League against Rheumatism (EULAR), 2010 criteria are included. All were on MTX for more than 3 months. A questionnaire was used to collect information from them. Results: Young age, middle-high educational level and good socio-economic state increase the regular MTX intake and thus improve the adherence. Long duration of the disease and treatment, oral and combination therapy decrease the patients’ adherence. Conclusion: Non-adherence to MTX is noted frequently in RA patients and variable factors tend to affect adherence. Multiple factors encourage or discourage the continuity of MTX intake, some are related to patients themselves while others are related to the course of the disease or MTX itself.
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spelling doaj.art-a411f8f05b7b46a79405ea9207e3c0342022-12-22T01:49:07ZengEducation in Action ClubGlobal Journal of Public Health Medicine2664-46572022-03-014110.37557/gjphm.v4i1.146136ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDYAli Al-Tuma0Nizar Abdulateef Jassim 1Department of Internal Medicine ,College of Medicine, Karbala University , Karbala, IraqDepartment of Internal Medicine,College of medicine , University of Baghdad , Baghdad, Iraq Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is the most widely used disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, medication adherence is variable and sub-optimal. Poor adherence affects 20-70% of patients. Adherence to MTX is the key to attaining the goal of low disease activity or disease remission. The aim of the study is to determine adherence of RA patients to MTX when used as a monotherapy and when combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and to look for the factors that may positively and negatively affect adherence. Methods: An observational cross sectional study was conducted at Rheumatology Clinic/Baghdad Teaching Hospital over a period from January-June 2020. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with RA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League against Rheumatism (EULAR), 2010 criteria are included. All were on MTX for more than 3 months. A questionnaire was used to collect information from them. Results: Young age, middle-high educational level and good socio-economic state increase the regular MTX intake and thus improve the adherence. Long duration of the disease and treatment, oral and combination therapy decrease the patients’ adherence. Conclusion: Non-adherence to MTX is noted frequently in RA patients and variable factors tend to affect adherence. Multiple factors encourage or discourage the continuity of MTX intake, some are related to patients themselves while others are related to the course of the disease or MTX itself. https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/146AdherenceNon-adherenceMethotrexateRheumatoid Arthritis.
spellingShingle Ali Al-Tuma
Nizar Abdulateef Jassim
ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Global Journal of Public Health Medicine
Adherence
Non-adherence
Methotrexate
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
title ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
title_full ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
title_fullStr ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
title_full_unstemmed ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
title_short ADHERENCE TO METHOTREXATE IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
title_sort adherence to methotrexate in iraqi patients with rheumatoid arthritis a cross sectional study
topic Adherence
Non-adherence
Methotrexate
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
url https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/146
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