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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
In newly diagnosed primary Sjögren disease, 40% of patients showed low medication adherence — and it had little to do with how severe their disease was. Instead, adherence was driven by whether patients believed their medications were necessary versus harmful. Clinicians may want to routinely explore patients' medication beliefs to improve treatment engagement.
When it comes to sticking with treatment in Sjögren disease, patient mindset may matter more than medical metrics. A new prospective study found that 40% of newly diagnosed primary Sjögren disease (pSjD) patients had low medication adherence during follow-up — and the key driver wasn't disease activity, symptom burden, or quality of life. It was how patients weighed the perceived necessity of their medications against their concerns about potential harm.
The study followed 54 patients (mean age ~50; 96% women) for about 21 months. Researchers assessed adherence, disease activity, psychological status, and — crucially — patients' beliefs about their medications. Those with low adherence scored significantly lower on the "necessity-concern differential," meaning they were more worried about their meds than convinced of their benefit.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: This study signals a shift in how clinicians should approach adherence conversations. Rather than focusing solely on disease severity, HCPs should proactively explore patients' beliefs about their medications — addressing concerns and reinforcing the rationale for treatment — to meaningfully improve adherence in this often-undertreated condition.
