Telephone nurse counseling for medication adherence in ulcerative colitis: a preliminary study.

Patient Educ Couns · 2010

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Adherence is challenging in episodic chronic conditions that require medication during both symptomatic and quiescent periods, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). Adherence for these conditions is under-studied. This study was a preliminary test of telephone nurse counseling to address cognitive and emotional barriers to adherence in UC. METHODS: 524 people taking mesalamine for UC were referred by their health care providers, and 278 (53%) enrolled. There were no demographic differences between program participants and nonparticipants. Participants reported multiple comorbidities and concomitant medications. All participants received telephone follow-up (M = 2.1 calls) from a registered nurse who used cognitive-behavioral and motivational interviewing counseling techniques. Adherence measured by structured interview was compared to a population baseline using a binomial test. RESULTS: Attrition was 51% over 6 months but was unrelated to adherence. Participants had better adherence than the expected population rate, with a significant dose-response effect. Reasons for nonadherence were primarily psychological or efficacy-related. CONCLUSION: Adherence following intervention was better than typical mesalamine adherence. Self-efficacy predicted adherence, but demographic and clinical variables did not. Adherent participants reported more adverse events. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Attention to patients' cognitive and emotional reactions may help to improve adherence in episodic chronic diseases such as UC.