RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Usefulness of Cellular Text Messaging for Improving Adherence Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP jrheum.110771
DO 10.3899/jrheum.110771
A1 Tracy V. Ting
A1 Deepa Kudalkar
A1 Shannen Nelson
A1 Sandra Cortina
A1 Joshua Pendl
A1 Shaaista Budhani
A1 Jennifer Neville
A1 Janalee Taylor
A1 Jennifer Huggins
A1 Dennis Drotar
A1 Hermine I. Brunner
YR 2011
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2011/11/09/jrheum.110771.abstract
AB Objective In a cohort of 70 patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE): to determine the baseline adherence to medications and visits; to investigate the effects of cellular text messaging reminders (CTMR) on adherence to clinic visits; and to study the influence of CTMR on adherence to use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Methods CTMR were sent to 70 patients prior to clinic visits for 14 months. A subgroup of patients were evaluated for medication adherence to HCQ: 19 patients receiving CTMR prior to each scheduled HCQ dose were compared to 22 patients randomized to standard of care education about HCQ. Visit adherence was measured using administrative databases. Pharmacy refill information, self-report of adherence, and HCQ blood levels were utilized to monitor medication adherence to HCQ. Sufficient adherence to visits or HCQ was defined as estimates &gt; 80%. Disease activity was primarily monitored with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index. Results At baseline, 32% of patients were sufficiently adherent to HCQ, and 81% to clinic visits. Visit adherence improved significantly by &gt; 80% among those who were nonadherent to clinic visits at the baseline CTMR (p = 0.01). CTMR did not influence adherence to HCQ over time. Conclusion Patients with cSLE were only modestly adherent to HCQ and clinic visits. CTMR may be effective for improving visit adherence among adolescents and young adults with cSLE, but it does not improve adherence to HCQ.