Effects of Face-to-Face Nursing Support on Optimal Adherence to Oral Titratable PAH Therapies

Background Therapies currently available to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients do not reverse the disease; however, they improve pulmonary hemodynamics, offer symptomatic relief, and lengthen the time to clinical worsening. These therapies do not come without their challenges, which include side effects and compliance with challenging titration regimens. Health care providers, particularly nurses, play a significant role in improving patient medication adherence. In-home nurse visits offer disease state education, set medication expectations, and provide support tools for patients when experiencing adverse events that may lead to therapy discontinuation. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact that in-home, face-to-face nursing visits have on optimal adherence to oral PAH therapies. Methods We identified patients who received an oral PAH drug (riociguat, selexipag, or treprostinil) supported by a nursing program (study group) and patients who received an oral PAH drug (bosentan, ambrisentan, or macitentan) not supported by a nursing program (control group) using CVS Health pharmacy data from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. A logistic regression model examined demographic and medication factors associated with adherence. Results From January 2018 to June 2019, we identified 107 patients in the study group and 213 patients in the control group. After 6 months, patients in the study group reported 0.6 more fill counts (5.1 vs 4.5; P = .002) and an 11% higher medication possession ratio (MPR) than those in the control group (86.4% vs 75.0%; P = .001). After adjusting for patient characteristics, control patients tended to be more likely to drop therapy in the first 6 months after the index fill (hazard ratio = 1.52; P = .064). After 6 months, the study group reported higher rates of therapy persistence than the control group (72.0% vs 60.6%; P < .05). Conclusions Patients receiving oral PAH therapies (riociguat, selexipag, or treprostinil) supported through a visiting nurse program had significantly higher rates of optimal adherence as demonstrated by a statistically significant improvement in the MPR and a higher prescription fill count than a control group. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary approach supporting the patient and providing patient education, proper motivation, and face-to-face nursing may support improved patient outcomes.