Open AccessSelf-reported adherence rates in glaucoma patients in Southwest Nigeria
Author(s) -
Adeola O Onakoya,
Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of clinical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2468-6859
pISSN - 2408-7408
DOI - 10.4103/2408-7408.179649
Subject(s) - medicine , glaucoma , context (archaeology) , intraocular pressure , gonioscopy , ophthalmology , optometry , fundus (uterus) , open angle glaucoma , statistical software , paleontology , software engineering , engineering , biology
Context: Nigerian glaucoma patients have an aversion to surgery and often rely on medical therapy to prevent disease progression. For medical therapy to be effective, the drugs have to be used as prescribed. Compliance has been reported to be low in the previous Nigerian studies. Aims: To evaluate the adherence rates of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients on medical therapy using patient self-report. Settings and Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional design was used to assess consecutive POAG patients attending a glaucoma clinic in a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: Self-reported adherence was evaluated by trained interviewers. Comprehensive clinical assessment including intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, visual field assessment, and dilated binocular funduscopy using the slit lamp and + 78D fundus lens was done. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was done using MedCalc Statistical Software. Results: One hundred and fourteen patients reported adherence rates ranging from 10% to 100% with a mean adherence rate of 82.33% ± 19.25%. Only 31 respondents (27.2%) reported 100% adherence. Duration of the disease was the only significant factor on multiple regression analysis. Conclusions: The development of strategies to improve compliance and persistence in glaucoma patients is crucial for the reduction of disease progression and blindness