Medication Adherence in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Summary
Medication adherence in Parkinson’s disease (PD) constitutes the extent to which patients follow prescribed antiparkinsonian regimens, encompassing timing, dosage and frequency. Optimal adherence is critical for stabilising motor control, reducing “off” periods and maintaining quality of life. Yet adherence rates remain suboptimal worldwide, influenced by the complexity of regimens, fluctuating symptoms, cognitive impairment and psychosocial factors. As PD advances, polypharmacy is common—combining levodopa, dopamine agonists and adjunctive therapies—heightening the risk of missed doses and drug interactions. Nonadherence may manifest intentionally, driven by concerns over side-effects or cost, or unintentionally, through forgetfulness or misunderstanding of instructions. Measurement approaches range from self-report scales and pill counts to electronic monitoring and pharmacy refill records, each with strengths and limitations. Interventions that have shown promise include simplified dosing schedules, pill organisers, digital reminders and multidisciplinary education programmes involving neurologists, pharmacists, nurses and caregivers. These strategies aim to tailor pharmacotherapy to individual lifestyles, enhance patient engagement and integrate adherence monitoring into routine clinical practice. The global burden of suboptimal adherence extends beyond symptom exacerbation to increased hospitalisations, healthcare expenditure and caregiver strain, underscoring the need for scalable solutions and policy support.
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Medication Adherence in Parkinson's Disease Patients publication trend
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Technical terms
Medication adherence: The degree to which a patient’s medication-taking behaviour corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.
Polypharmacy: Concurrent use of multiple medications, often defined as five or more, increasing complexity and risk of drug interactions.
Motor fluctuations: Variations in a patient’s mobility and symptom control, typically linked to the pharmacokinetic profile of dopaminergic drugs.
Extended-release formulation: A drug preparation designed to release active ingredients over a prolonged period, reducing dosing frequency.
Telehealth: Provision of healthcare remotely via telecommunications technology, enabling monitoring and support outside traditional clinic settings.
References
- Clinical aspects of adherence to pharmacotherapy in Parkinson disease. Medicine (2018).
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