Beliefs about medicines and adherence among Swedish migraineurs.

• Objective The aim was to analyze whether beliefs about medicines are associated with adherence to prophylactic medication among Swedish migraineurs. Methods A questionnaire was distributed consecutively to migraineurs attending a tertiary clinic. All participants were prescribed prophylactic medication. The questionnaire comprised e.g. background questions, beliefs about medicines (BMQ), and self-reported adherence (MARS). The General BMQ comprises three subparts: General Harm, General Overuse, and General Benefit. The specific part of the BMQ has two subparts: Specific Necessity and Specific Concerns. For the BMQ Specific, a necessity–concerns differential was calculated for each participant. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between beliefs about medicines and adherence to prophylactic medication. Results Of the 175 participants, 15% were male and more than half of the participants were aged 45 years and over. Fifty percent had a university degree. Sixty-four percent were considered adherent. There was no significant difference in adherence between gender, age groups, or by educational level. Respondents with only compulsory school were less concerned about the long-term effects of medications and had a higher necessity–concern differential. In the logistic regression analysis, no variable was significantly associated with adherence. Conclusions The present study showed no association between beliefs about medication and adherence. We recommend that lack of adherence to migraine prophylactic drugs should be considered more often, looked for, and addressed in order to identify sufferers with an unnecessarily high migraine-associated disability. This assumes greater attention to the problem amongst both physicians and researchers in all countries.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Samhällsfarmaci och klinisk farmaci (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Social and Clinical Pharmacy (hsv//eng)

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