Volume 33, Issue 162 (Special Issue 2025)                   J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025, 33(162): 98-109 | Back to browse issues page

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Owayez H A, Jasim A L, Kassid A A. Impact of Medication Adherence Barriers on Disease Activity in Iraq Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025; 33 (162) :98-109
URL: http://journal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-7902-en.html
Impact of Medication Adherence Barriers on Disease Activity in Iraq Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hasan Ali Owayez *1 , Ali Lateef Jasim2 , Ahmed Ageeb Kassid3
1- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq & Al-Rusafa Health Directorate, Ministry of Health and Environment, Baghdad, Iraq , hasan.ali2200@copharm.uobaghdad.edu.iq
2- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
3- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustafa University, Baghdad, Iraq
Abstract:   (237 Views)

Background & Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management relies on biological therapies. However, poor medication adherence remains a challenge and linked to worsened outcomes. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker of disease activity in IBD. This study investigated the relationship between adherence barriers and disease severity, measured by CRP, in Iraqi IBD patients.
 Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 100 adult IBD patients on biological therapy (mostly on infliximab) for ≥6 months at a Gastroenterology and Hepatology teaching hospital in Baghdad province in the period from December 2024 to February 2025. Disease severity was assessed by determining serum CRP levels. Adherence barriers were evaluated using the Adherence Barriers Questionnaire, measuring four subscales: Intentional, Unintentional, Medication-related, and Healthcare system-related barriers (higher scores indicate greater barriers) and correlated with the sociodemographic data and the severity of the disease.
Results:  Most sociodemographic factors showed no significant association with CRP levels or adherence barrier subscales. Exceptions included higher Healthcare system-related barriers in single vs. married patients (p=0.025), and significant associations between Unintentional barriers and lower education levels (p=0.003) and middle-income levels (p=0.009). Patients with elevated CRP exhibited significantly higher scores across all four adherence barrier subscales compared to those with normal CRP.
Conclusion:  Significant associations demonstrated between elevated CRP related to disease activity and increased adherence barriers across all categories in Iraqi IBD patients. While sociodemographic factors had minimal overall influence, marital status, education, and income impacted specific barriers with minimal effect. Addressing these modifiable adherence barriers is essential for improving disease control in IBD management.

Keywords: Medication Adherence, C-Reactive Protein, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Sociodemographic Factors, Biological Therapy
Full-Text [PDF 548 kb]   (9 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Clinical Medicine
Received: 2025/10/8 | Accepted: 2025/11/15 | Published: 2025/12/29
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