Treatment adherence of patients with inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine

Goal. Comparative analysis of initial treatment adherence in patients with various inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine. Materials and methods. A total of 91 women aged 18 to 65 years who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were examined according to current criteria. The average age was 51 years, the average duration of the disease was 10 years, and the average age at onset was 41 years. Treatment adherence was assessed using the MMAS-4 and COP-25 questionnaires. The statistical analysis was performed using the StatTech v. 4.9.5 software (developed by Stattech LLC, Russia). Results. The results of the study demonstrate that the level of treatment adherence in women with chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine remains generally insufficient. According to the results of MMAS-4, 28.6 % of all patients were committed to drug therapy. According to the results of the COP-25, the overall commitment was 57.22 %. There was no correspondence between the indicators of qualitative (MMAS-4) and quantitative (CPC-25) treatment adherence questionnaires. The lowest adherence in all areas of treatment was demonstrated by patients with RA – their total adherence was 52.41 %, which corresponds to the borderline of medium and low levels of adherence. Patients with PsA were slightly more committed (55.11 %). Patients with AS demonstrated 67.10 % adherence to treatment in general, which corresponded to the average level of adherence and was significantly higher than for other diseases.The most vulnerable aspect is lifestyle modification.Young age is associated with a higher commitment to treatment. Conclusion. Women with inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine have an average and low level of adherence to various treatment components, which may be one of the mechanisms for the formation of the phenotype of «difficult to treat» patients with RA, AS, and Ps A. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive commitment enhancement strategies combining pharmacological, educational, behavioral, and psychological approaches

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