Impact of pill burden and socio-economic status of patients on adherence to pharmacologic therapy in elderly

Background: Noncompliance is especially significant in elderly population due to a multitude of problems. Polypharmacy and socio-economic status have been reported as major factors influencing compliance and further the disease progression Aim : We studied the impact of pill burden and socio-economic status on drug compliance in our elderly population Methodology : Patients aged over 65 years with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension attending our Geriatric clinic over a period of two months was assessed for drug compliance based on pill burden and socio-economic status. Results : Pill burden was a significant factor influencing compliance in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (ptextless.01) and uncontrolled hypertension (ptextless.05). However, the effect of pill burden on compliance in patients with both uncontrolled hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes was not statistically significant (ptextgreater.05). Socio-economic status of the patients had no influence on compliance in any other compared groups. Conclusion : While we found that pill burden was a major factor influencing patient drug compliance, socio-economic status did not seem to have a significant influence on the same.