Data were collected via an interview using a semi-structured interview schedule regarding demographics, HDS usage, reasons for HDS use, and respondent experiences of effects from HDS. Conventional medication adherence was measured using the Thai version of 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.
Comparisons between HDS users and non-users found that conventional medication adherence differed across the groups with HDS users more likely to have poor medication adherence (χ2 = 8.46, p = 0.015), other comparisons found no differences between the groups.
Multiple logistic regression analyses were undertaken to determine associations between HDS use and demographic characteristics and conventional medication adherence.
Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression were used to determine any associations between HDS use, demographics and conventional medication adherence.
Chi-square tests were performed to determine the factors related to HDS use and any associations between HDS use and conventional medication adherence.
No clear discrepancies in baseline characteristics, additional use of conventional DMARDs, adherence with infusions and MTX/PBO, steroid dose or concomitant use of other medications were observed.
There are limited and controversial suggestions as to whether HDS use negatively influences conventional medication adherence [ 20- 23] due to depressive symptoms, costs of conventional medications and dis-satisfaction with the doctor-patient relationship in patients with hypertension [ 20].
A survey was conducted to determine: the prevalence and patterns of HDS use in Thai patients with CKD; the demographic factors related to HDS use; the reasons why Thai patients with CKD use HDS; respondent experiences of benefits and adverse effects from HDS; and the association between conventional medication adherence and HDS use.
The aims of this survey were to determine: the prevalence and patterns of HDS use in Thai patients with CKD; demographic factors related to HDS use, including the association between conventional medication adherence and HDS use; reasons why Thai CKD patients use HDS; and respondent experiences of benefit and adverse effects from HDS.
But in choosing to focus on one of the "darkest moments" in his career, Fauci hoped to highlight how conventional wisdom and adherence to bureaucratic processes can prevent good medicine from happening -- and to highlight the good that can happen when doctors start listening to the people who are literally fighting for their lives.
This cut point is conventional in the adherence literature [ 12- 14] and yields measures of association that are easily interpreted.
