Muhammad Ma'sum Effendi, Nafitri Aulia
Therapeutic compliance in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients remains a challenge as NTG can result in irreversible blindness. This study will provide data on medication compliance among patients with NTG, and factors associated with medication compliance.This cross-sectional observational study was performed at the Saiful Anwar Hospital (RSSA), Malang. Data on sex, distance to the hospital, marital status, employment status, living alone or not, and educational level were collected. Respondents were interviewed with the Glaucoma Treatment and Compliance Assessment Tool (GTCAT), and underwent eyedrop weighing to determine therapeutic compliance. Data analysis comprised correlations and regression tests.Data from 40 NTG patients were collected, 42.5% were men and 57.5% were women, aged 58.43 ± 12.5 years. The rate of treatment compliance was 40%. Educational level and glaucoma knowledge were significantly correlated with therapeutic compliance. Other variables which showed higher compliance rates were male gender, lives within 7.5 km from hospital, married, does not work, does not live alone, uses eye drops three times a day, good doctor and patient relationship, and does not forget to bring drugs while traveling. Many factors are associated with higher compliance rates, but only educational level and glaucoma knowledge were significantly correlated with compliance. This highlights the need for patient education to ensure better medication compliance, leading to effective NTG management. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Department of Opthamology, Brawijaya University, Saiful Anwar Hospital Malang, East Java, 3330301, Indonesia
