Factors influencing adherence to medications in a group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Jamaica

The objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing adherence to medications in a group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Jamaica. A qualitative study was designed using a screening questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted in the rheumatology clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. 75 patients with SLE including 20 interviewees, who had SLE for at least I year participated in the study. The main outcome measures were: (i) level of self-reported adherence in a sample of the clinic attendees and (ii) interviewees explanations of the reasons for taking or not taking drugs as prescribed by their physician. 56% of the 75 study participants reported taking their medications more than 85% of the time. High cost and poor availability of medications were the main reasons for poor adherence, but some patients chose not to take their medications because of side effects, perceived mild severity of their disease and/or a preference to take drugs only when symptomatic. Patients used herbal medicines to counteract side effects of Western medicines, to 'purge the blood' and to manage lupus symptoms when they had no medications. Religious beliefs were used as a coping strategy. Traditional use of herbal medicines is common particularly in patients from rural Jamaica, and may explain the observed use of herbal medicines in those who have emigrated to developed countries. Socio-economic constraints and poor drug availability are particularly important influences on poor adherence in Jamaican patients with SLE. Religious beliefs and use of herbal remedies do not seem to affect adherence adversely but are used when drugs cannot be obtained.