Behavioral intervention improves glaucoma medication adherence, reduces costs

A behavioral intervention to improve glaucoma medication adherence amongst patients with glaucoma who had self-reported poor adherence was effective and resulted in cost-savings at 6 months, according to a study.

In this cost-effectiveness analysis of randomized, controlled trial data, 200 participants were randomized to a personalized educational session with a reminder bottle or to a control session on general eye health, of which 95 in the intervention group and 97 in the control group adhered to outcomes at 6 months. The main outcome measure was attaining ≥80% adherence as measured by an electronic monitor.

There were more adherent patients in the intervention group compared to control (0.78 vs 0.40, P < 0.0001).

At 6 months total cost in the intervention group (n = 100) and control group (n = 100) were $1,149,600 and $1,298,700, respectively.

“In a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients, the intervention was associated with cost savings (-$149,100) and resulted in 38 additional patients achieving medication adherence,” the authors noted.

Reference
Williams WM, Theophanous C, Muir KW, et al. Within-trial cost-effectiveness of an adherence-enhancing educational intervention for glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol. 2022;DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2022.08.011