Przestrzeganie zasad leczenia - czy jest problemem u osób w wieku podeszłym? Adherence to medication - is this a problem in elderly people?

Summary The treatment of chronic illnesses should be provided systematically with physicians orders (compliance) for a long period of time (persistance). Poor adherence is a common cause of non-response to medication and it decreases effectiveness of therapy. It is the most significant reason for failed pharmacotherapy. It also leads to medical complications, increases mortality and has a major impact on healthcare systems and resources. 10% of hospital admissions and almost a quarter of nursing home admissions are due to non-compliance with medication. Consequences of non-adherence can range from inconsequential to disastrous, depending on drug characteristics, disease state and severity (i.e. drug-resistant strains in human immunodeficiency virus). Barriers to adherence include patients’ health beliefs, inadequate education, and age.More than 50% of patients undergoing chronic disease long-term therapy interrupt therapy during the first year. One in five of them do not even redeem drugs prescribed by their physicians. Good patient-physician relationship gives a good adherence to therapy.