The impact of comorbidity on medication adherence and therapeutic goals

Comorbidity and medication adherence Poor adherence to the prescribed therapy is highly prevalent in older patients. Prevailing evidence suggests that age per se should not be considered as a risk factor for poor adherence [2]. Lower educational level, less affluent economic status, cognitive/physical impairment, being assisted by foreign caregivers, and some chronic diseases, such as chronic renal failure, are commonly reported poorly modifiable correlates of non-adherence. Regimen complexity represents a to some extent modifiable correlate [2]. Vision impairment, reduced manual dexterity, and patients’ perception of medication importance may contribute to determine the relationship between regimen complexity and non-adherence. There is minimal evidence to support interventions that improve medication adherence, and the effects of psychosocial interventions are largely unknown [1].