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The first large-scale US study of
its kind found that text messages were an effective way to encourage people
with chronic diseases to stick to their drug regimens.
Researchers at OptumHealth - a
division of UnitedHealth Group - in Eden Prairie, Minn., looked at nearly 600
participants with employer-sponsored health insurance as well as seniors
enrolled in Medicare. They found a treatment adherence rate of 85 percent for
patients receiving text messages, compared with 77 percent for other forms of
reminders. Among patients with diabetes, adherence was 91 percent for those who
got text reminders versus 82 percent for those who did not.
Text message reminders are used to
help people with complex illnesses like HIV keep to their medication schedules.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, almost 70 percent of
medication-related hospital admissions occur when patients do not stick to
their regimens, costing $100 billion annually.
“Text messages and emerging
technologies offer new opportunities to educate and engage patients so they can
improve their health and ultimately rein in their health costs,” said study
leader Kalee Foreman.
The study, “Impact of a Text
Messaging Pilot Program on Patient Medication Adherence,” was published in
Clinical Therapeutics (2012;34(5):1084-1091).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
