[Relationship between the experience of steroids side effects and noncompliance with oral steroids treatment in collagen disease patients].

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between the experience of side effect and the compliance with oral steroids drug treatment of the patients in Collagen Disease Clinic.

Methods: A questionnaire survey through interview was conducted on 165 outpatients with various collagen disease at Saga Medical School Hospital.

Results: 94 patients (57%) had a history of noncompliance to the steroids drug. 49 patients (52.1%) adventitiously had forgotten to take the steroids as ordered and 45 patients (47.9%) intentionally had regulated their steroids dose or had discontinued the steroids drug treatment. Over 80% of the patients had experienced side effects of the steroids. The patients who experienced one or more of the following side effects, osteoporosis, bone fractures, menstrual disorders, moon face, central obesity, alopecia, acnelike eruption, manic-depressive state, and insomnia, intentionally regulated, or discontinued the steroids therapy. In addition, the patients who were not made cognizance about side effects of the steroids by their physicians and nurse tended to noncompliance group.

Conclusion: To increase the compliance rate with oral steroids drug treatment, we must make conscious efforts to inform the patients on the condition of their medical states, the efficacy of the prescribed drugs, and the side effects and risk concerning discontinuation of the steroids. It is Also necessary to establish "Drug information and counseling day" in outpatient Department.