Analysis of Factors Affecting Patients' Compliance to Topical Antiglaucoma Medications in Egypt as a Developing Country Model

Purpose. To study factors affecting patients’ compliance to antiglaucoma medications in Egypt where there are unique factors as a developing country. Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study on 440 Egyptian patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) recruited for over two years. The pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Ophthalmology 2015-01, Vol.2015 (2015), p.319-325
Main Authors: Abu Hussein, Nahla B., Abdel-Kader, Ahmed A., Eissa, Iman M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Complications and side effects
Developing countries
Disease
Dosage and administration
Drug dosages
Drug therapy
Education
Females
Gender
Glaucoma
Hospitals
LDCs
Males
Ophthalmic drugs
Patient compliance
Pharmacy
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Summary:Purpose. To study factors affecting patients’ compliance to antiglaucoma medications in Egypt where there are unique factors as a developing country. Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study on 440 Egyptian patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) recruited for over two years. The patients were thoroughly interviewed about their age, education level, duration of glaucoma, difficulty in instilling the drops, medication regimens, a family history of glaucoma, knowledge of the disease, and the presence of medical insurance. Results. 236 (53.6%) were noncompliant compared to 204 (46.4%) who were compliant. Females had a tendency for higher compliance ( p = 0.061 ) . Patient age above 50 years and low level of education and negative family history of glaucoma were factors significantly associated with poor compliance ( p < 0.0001 ) . Polytherapy and lack of medical insurance could be contributing factors. Conclusion. Egyptian patients have a high rate of noncompliance compared to the average in literature. Great effort is needed in educating patients about the importance of medications and the risk and the prognosis of this disease. Economic factors must also be taken into consideration in developing countries with large number of poor patients. We recommend simplifying drug regimens, incorporating electronic dose monitors, and creating reminders for follow-up visits of glaucoma patients.
ISSN:2090-004X
2090-0058
DOI:10.1155/2015/234157