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Adherence, persistence and continuation with cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Le Couteur David G,
Robinson Maxine,
Leverton Ann,
Creasey Helen,
Waite Louise,
Atkins Kerry,
McLachlan Andrew J
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2011.00564.x
Subject(s) - persistence (discontinuity) , medical prescription , cholinesterase , medicine , continuation , institutionalisation , concordance , disease , donepezil , pediatrics , dementia , psychiatry , pharmacology , geotechnical engineering , computer science , engineering , programming language
Aim: To determine adherence, persistence and continuation beyond 6 months with cholinesterase inhibitors in Australians with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Adherence and persistence with cholinesterase inhibitors were assessed by data linkage using the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Authority database and other health databases. Results: Over 18 000 people commenced cholinesterase inhibitors during 2004. Adherence was 79.4% while the medication possession ratio was 0.88. Some 70.3% of people filled all six scripts for the initial trial period of therapy. Some 57.3% of evaluable patients accessed funding beyond six prescriptions, indicating that their clinicians had declared that there was a two‐point or more greater improvement in the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Despite the high rate of continuation beyond 6 months, the rates of institutionalisation and death were no different to those reported in clinical trials. Conclusions: Persistence and adherence with cholinesterase inhibitors was reasonable once treatment was established. There was an unexpectedly high continuation rate beyond six prescriptions.