AB0450 METHOTREXATE ADHERENCE IN MOROCCAN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background: Adherence to conventional DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) is highly variable in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ranging from 22 to 107%. Many studies have evaluated these drugs adherence, but only one single systematic review evaluated specifically methotrexate adhesion in patients with RA. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the adherence to methotrexate (MTX) in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate factors that may influence it. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled subjects suffering from rheumatoid arthritis according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria, with a history of methotrexate treatment for more than 6 months, either as monotherapy or in combination with other conventional or biological DMARDs. The evaluation of therapeutic compliance with methotrexate was realized using two validated self-questionnaires; the Morisky-Green (MG) questionnaire consisting of 6 questions, and the CQR (Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology) consisting of 19 questions. Adherence levels were defined according to the validated thresholds of the questionnaires. The factors likely to influence the adhesion were researched by a standardized questionnaire. Results: A total of 61 subjects were studied. The mean age was 53.4±12.5 years, with a weekly methotrexate average dose of 18.2 ± 4.5 mg. In combination methotrexate 77% of patients were receiving corticosteroids, 21% biological DMARDs, 19.7% other conventional DMARDs, and 42% folic acid. The methotrexate adherence levels are presented in figure 1. Lack of resources and adverse effects were the main factors behind methotexate’s low level adherence. The patients with these levels had a longer duration of disease progression and higher parameters of disease activity. Conclusion: This study shows that the methotrexate adherence level in Moroccan patients with RA is low. The patient’s education should be improved in the Moroccan population for a better control of the disease. Disclosure of Interests: None declared