A recent study published in Pulmonary Circulation highlights the vital role of proactive communication in improving medication persistence among individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The study, titled PERSIST (Practices affEcting macitentan and selexipag patient persistence Rates utilizing pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical Site and patIent perSpecTives), surveyed 134 patients and 23 healthcare professionals across the United States to identify factors affecting adherence to treatments such as selexipag and macitentan.
The research found that consistent communication from healthcare providers, particularly around the management of side effects and addressing patient fears, significantly encouraged patients to continue their therapies. Persistent patients often cited symptom improvement and trust in their provider’s instructions as key motivators.
However, challenges remain. Fear of adverse effects, forgetfulness, and high medication costs were the main barriers to adherence. Patients who discontinued therapy were more likely to rely on less reliable sources like social media and websites for health information, highlighting the need for accurate and accessible communication from medical professionals.
The study also revealed discrepancies between healthcare provider perceptions of adherence and actual patient behavior, with some providers overestimating medication persistence. Addressing this gap through improved patient engagement and interdisciplinary support, such as social workers and case managers, could help close the adherence gap.
The findings underscore the importance of early, clear communication and education to support treatment persistence and improve health outcomes for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Read more at this link on the Online Wiley Library
Citation
Shlobin OA, Bruce G, Gomez-Rendon G, Kingman M, Rahman M, Rogers F, Studer S, Tobore T, McEvoy C. Practices affecting macitentan and selexipag patient persistence rates utilizing pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical site and patient perspectives (PERSIST): a US qualitative analysis. Pulm Circ. 2024;14:e12441. https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.12441
Many thanks to Louise Bouman for the summary of the original article.
