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.