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Journal of General Internal Medicine

Published in:

01-06-2007 | Clinical Review

Patients At-Risk for Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence: A Review of the Literature

Authors: Becky A. Briesacher, PhD, Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD, Stephen B. Soumerai, ScD

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 6/2007

Abstract

Objective

Up to 32% of older patients take less medication than prescribed to avoid costs, yet a comprehensive assessment of risk factors for cost-related nonadherence (CRN) is not available. This review examined the empirical literature to identify patient-, medication-, and provider-level factors that influence the relationship between medication adherence and medication costs.

Design

We conducted searches of four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sciences Citations Index Expanded, and EconLit) from 2001 to 2006 for English-language original studies. Articles were selected if the study included an explicit measure of CRN and reported results on covarying characteristics.

Main Results

We found 19 studies with empirical support for concluding that certain patients may be susceptible to CRN: research has established consistent links between medication nonadherence due to costs and financial burden, but also to symptoms of depression and heavy disease burden. Only a handful of studies with limited statistical methods provided evidence on whether patients understand the health risks of CRN or to what extent clinicians influence patients to keep taking medications when faced with cost pressures. No relationship emerged between CRN and polypharmacy.

Conclusion

Efforts to reduce cost-related medication nonadherence would benefit from greater study of factors besides the presence of prescription drug coverage. Older patients with chronic diseases and mood disorders are at-risk for CRN even if enrolled in Medicare’s new drug benefit.

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Title: Patients At-Risk for Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Becky A. Briesacher, PhD
Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD
Stephen B. Soumerai, ScD
Publication date: 01-06-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 6/2007
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0180-x

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