Medical adherence to glaucoma treatment

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Self-treatment with glaucoma medication (eye drops) has been associated with adherence challenges. Poor adherence results in worse outcomes in terms of visual field loss.
The study aims to analyze patterns in medication adherence among Danish patients with glaucoma. It focuses on predictors of adherence, long-term adherence patterns, and the economic impact on society due to poor adherence.

We conducted a register-based study with 30,100 patients with glaucoma followed for 10 years between 2000 and 2018. Glaucoma was identified from the Danish national registers through the diagnosis of Open Angle Glaucoma or redeemed prescriptions of glaucoma medication. We applied logistic regression to estimate patient characteristics related to adherence. We estimated healthcare costs using diagnosis-related group fees.

Our results showed lower adherence in the first year(s) of treatment among men, younger individuals and those with a positive Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score.
Adherence in the first year and in the first two years was associated with adherence in the fifth as with adherence in the 10th year with slightly lower estimates.
Being medical adherent was related to higher glaucoma medication costs after 5 and 10 years compared with being poorly adherent, while poor adherence was associated with a marked increase in long-term costs for hospital contacts.