Adherence with mycophenolate mofetil in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases in coventry: Signs of progress but challenges remain.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigated adherence with MMF treatment among patients attending rheumatology clinics at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) with Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs).

METHODS

This retrospective study collated hospital pharmacy data in patients who requested the prescription for MMF between January 2015 and December 2018. Clinical data were obtained from paper and electronic notes. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Ethical approval was obtained through Coventry University.

RESULTS

We recruited 144 patients into this study with age range from 18 to 91 years, including 100 females and 44 males. There were 112 White patients, 22 of South Asian origin, 3 East Asian and 4 black patients. SLE (56), scleroderma (18), mixed connective tissue disease (15), myositis (13), vasculitis (13) were the commonest diagnoses. Overall adherence with Mycophenolate mofetil was 62%. The adherence rates were below 80% for all age groups with ∼60% of patients having adherence levels of >60%. Poor adherence with MMF correlated with 3-fold increase in risk of flares compared to good adherence (p = 0.002). We also found a significant difference between Asian patients (mean adherence 47%) and White patients (mean adherence 65%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Adherence with MMF has improved considerably compared to historical studies, although these remain suboptimal. Certain population groups such as young adults, elderly and Asian patients continue to have lower adherence and higher risk of flares. Strategies are needed to improve adherence levels overall and specifically in the high-risk groups to reduce risk of flares and organ damage.