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A national study to
assess AIDS drug adherence will seek to determine the characteristics of
patients who adhere to therapy well or poorly. Poorly adherent patients may
need to start treatment later to avoid drug resistance. To help clinicians
make that decision, a checklist could be developed to predict patient
adherence, says a University of Utah College of Pharmacy researcher.
"We can improve the health of a lot of patients if we figure out why they
don't take their medications and how we can help them to improve their
medication-taking behavior," said Joanne Lafleur, a research assistant
professor. "We have this wonderful drug technology that's not being
optimally utilized."
Using a database of 7,000 veterans' health records, Lafleur will analyze
demographic, socioeconomic, and pharmacologic variables for the study.
Preliminary results could be in by next year, setting the stage for a
predictive tool, she said.
Already, doctors know that
HIV patients who are dependent on drugs or
alcohol, depressed or who do not trust their physician are less likely to be
adherent. Conversely, adherent patients are likelier to know the health
benefits of their medication, have the support of family and friends, and
keep their appointments.
The study is being supported by a grant from the American Society of
Health-System Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation and is being
sponsored by the drug maker Abbott.
Salt Lake Tribune (05.14.07):: Heather May |
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