Prevention of nonadherence to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Health Psychol. 2002 Nov;21(6):620-3. doi: 10.1037//0278-6133.21.6.620.

Abstract

Adherence to medications for chronic pediatric diseases decreases overtime. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a clinic-based, nurse-administered educational and behavioral intervention to prevent the anticipated drop in adherence to nonsteroidal medications among newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty-four participants completed the study (mean age = 8.44 years, SD = 3.96), including 19 in the experimental group and 15 in the standard-treatment (education) control group. There were significant group and Group x Time effects for adherence (assessed with an electronic monitor over a 13-month period) favoring the experimental group. In contrast, the groups did not differ significantly in disease activity or functional limitations. Factors that may have prevented detection of differences in these health parameters are dicussed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / nursing
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / psychology
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kansas
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal