Abstract

QUINTANA, R. et al. Accessibility and adherence to biological drugs in a public rheumatology service in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Rev. argent. reumatolg. [online]. 2018, vol.29, n.3, pp.12-16. ISSN 0327-4411.

Objective: To describe the situation of accessibility and adhesion treatment of patients with biological drugs (BD) from a public rheumatology service. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study, which includes patients who have been treated with BD. Variables: sociodemographic; clinical and treatments; time from diagnosis to BD access, adherence (monthly intake percentage of the drug ≥75%); time from the prescription to the administration of the BD; paperwork by a public or private entity; disability certificate (DC). Results: A total of 57 patients were included, 86% women, mean age being 47.79 (95% CI: 44.46-51.12) and education years being 8.42 (95% CI: 7.68- 9.16). 82.5% belonged to a medium-low socioeconomic status and 63.2% were mestizos. 19.3% had private coverage. Rheumatoid Arthritis was the most frequent disease. The mean time from diagnosis to BD: 104.25 months (95% CI: 82.61-125.89). The mean time from prescription to application: 6.4 months (95% CI: 5.62-7.18). The adherence was 86.0% and 50.0 % of patients had DC. There were no differences in the waiting time from the prescription to BD administration, taking into account the health coverage (p = 0.065) and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: There is a long time of disease evolution in regarding the accessibility to BD. In addition, accessibility and adherence reflect the vulnerability of our patients.

Keywords : accessibility; treatment; adherence; rheumatic diseases; biological drugs.

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