Measuring Medication Adherence in Chronic Diseases: The Psychometric Properties of Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire in Patients with Chronic Diseases in Rural Greece

Evangelos C. Fradelos; Aikaterini  Toska; Maria  Kavadia; Angeliki Gratsani; Victoria  Alikari; Stella  Zetta; Kyriakos  Souliotis; Maria  Saridi

doi:10.56508/mhgcj.v7i1.247

Authors

Evangelos C. Fradelos University of Thessaly, Larissa Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0244-9760
Aikaterini Toska University of Thessaly, Larissa Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-3394
Maria Kavadia Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6322-5915
Angeliki Gratsani Hellenic Open University https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2678-0374
Victoria Alikari University of West Attica Athens, Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1733-6208
Stella Zetta University of Thessaly, Larissa Greece https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2886-4745
Kyriakos Souliotis Department of Social and Educational Policy, Korinthos, Greece
Maria Saridi University of Thessaly, Larissa Greece https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3973-8091

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56508/mhgcj.v7i1.247

Keywords:

Mental Health, Adherence, Patients with Chronic Disease, Rural Greece, Psychometric Properties, Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction: Medication adherence is one of the most important factors in the effectiveness of treatment, especially for patients with chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the adherence of patients with chronic diseases and investigate the parameters that influence it. It will also examine the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale, a tool used to assess adherence.

Purpose: The study's main purpose was to assess the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale, including its reliability and validity, to evaluate the adherence of patients with medication and to analyse the factors that shape it, focusing on the influence of gender, diagnosis, level of education, marital status, and living conditions.

Methodology: The study was based on a sample of patients with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient's compliance with medication was assessed using the SMAQ scale. Statistical analysis included chi-square analysis to examine the association between participant characteristics and compliance, while logistic regression analysis was also performed to assess the parameters that predict non-compliance.

Results: The chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between compliance and parameters such as gender, type of disease, level of education, and marital status. Men and patients with cardiovascular diseases showed better compliance. Logistic regression indicates that diagnosis is the most important factor in predicting non-compliance. Regarding the psychometric properties of the SMAQ, the scale showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.717 and stability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.525). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale, with good fit values ??(CFI, TLI, GFI > 0.9).

Conclusions: The results of the study provide valuable data on the factors that influence the compliance of patients with chronic diseases. The diagnosis appears to be the most important predictor of non-compliance, while the evaluation of the SMAQ scale indicates that it is a reliable and valid tool for measuring compliance. The study highlights the need for strategies that will improve compliance, especially for patients with chronic diseases who may face psychological and social challenges. Limitations of the study include the sample size and the absence of data on other psychological parameters, such as mental health, which should be addressed in future research

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