Adherencia y percepción del tratamiento antiparkinsónico en pacientes Mexicanos con enfermedad de Parkinson

INTRODUCTION: Non-adherence to drug therapy is one of the main problems in providing medical management for patients with Parkinson's disease. The factors involved are many and include clinical and socio-demographic aspects. These factors have not been described in Mexican patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of adherence and perceptions about treatment of Mexican patients with Parkinson's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS : A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with Parkinson's disease. Clinical and demographic data including antiparkinsonic treatment were recorded. The following clinical instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Morisky-Green Questionnaire, Brief Medication Questionnaire and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (33 men) were included, the mean age was 59.2 ± 14.5 years. Low adherence was found in 32.8% of the patients; intermediate adherence on 31.3%and high adherence on 35.9%. The 18.8% of the patients reported suspending their antiparkinsonic drugsby choice in the last six months; 56.2% say they worry about side effects, although 90.7% recognized the benefit of treatment. A younger age (p = 0.005), early age of onset (p = 0.001) and having employment (p = 0.043) were the factors associated with a high adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence in the studied sample is less than that reported in other countries. Age and employment have a very important role in treatment adherence.