Background/Purpose:

We present preliminary longitudinal data about the information-seeking behaviors and medication experiences of RA patients who are prescribed a new DMARD.

Methods: We recruited a convenience sample of 32 adult English-speaking RA patients who were prescribed a new self-administered DMARD from one rheumatology clinic in a southeastern state. At the office visit during which the new DMARD was prescribed, patients reported demographic characteristics and satisfaction with DMARD information provided by their rheumatologist (alpha=0.89). Patients then used a 1-week medication diary to document their experiences with side effects. Patients also completed a 1-week and 1-month follow-up telephone interview during which they reported their use of 15 DMARD information sources, whether their DMARD prescription had been filled, and their medication adherence (8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale). We calculated descriptive statistics to describe the sources of DMARD information that patients consulted most often. We examined bivariate associations to determine correlates of DMARD information-seeking and ran a linear regression to examine whether information-seeking predicted DMARD adherence at 1-month follow-up. The regression controlled for patient age, gender, race, reading level, disease duration, and whether DMARD side effects had been experienced (yes/no).

Results: Participants were primarily women (91%) and white (70%). The mean age and disease duration were 48.3 (SD=14.1) and 9.4 years (SD=9.4), respectively. Only 3 (10%) of patients were not satisfied with the DMARD information provided by their rheumatologist. Within 1 week of their office visit, 88% of patients had sought DMARD information; most commonly from brochures/pamphlets (57%), medication package inserts (55%), and the Internet (47%). Patients who experienced side effects sought more information (t₍₂₆₎ =2.27, p<0.05) and older patients sought less information (r=-0.42, p<0.05).  Between 1-week and 1-month follow-up, 73% of patients sought additional DMARD information. At 1-month follow-up, 10 patients still had not filled their DMARD prescription, primarily due to lack of insurance approval or cost. Patients who sought greater amounts of information were less adherent (beta=-0.78, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Most RA patients seek information about their DMARDS. Information-seeking is influenced by demographic characteristics and their experience with side effects. Patients who sought more information were less adherent.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/the-medication-information-seeking-behaviors-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-who-are-prescribed-a-new-dmard/