Identifying Factors in Medication Non-Adherence in Teens Diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that correlate with medication non-adherence in teens diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. Background: The impact of medication non-adherence often begins in childhood where children depend and learn from their care-givers how to manage their health. Children with chronic disorders are among those at risk for a higher medication non-adherence. Juvenile arthritis (JA) is a chronic childhood disorder where often medication non-adherence is an issue. Methodology: This was a mixed-method qualitative and quantitative pilot study. Teens between the ages of 11 – 17 years, with juvenile arthritis were asked to volunteer in this study. Their medication adherence score were measured utilizing a Modified Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). The second survey was to assess the patient’s knowledge of their medication and was called the open-ended questionnaire. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine if there was a statistical relationship between age, gender and ethnicity with their Modified Medication Adherence Score (MMAS). Knowledge comprehension of their medication’s action was then compared to medication adherence scores. Results: Results varied as some patients scored lowered on their MMAS, but were knowledgeable about the action of their medication. The highest factor for all age groups, genders and ethnicity were forgetfulness. There were inherent limitations in this study as results were varied, subjective and skewed. Conclusions: Based on this study, teens between the ages of 16-17 years of age scored higher in medication adherence. Gender and ethnicity were not shown to have a statistical relationship in their medication adherence scores. Forgetfulness was the common factor identified in medication non-adherence, while medication knowledge was not a factor in medication adherence scores