Oral ulcer activity in Behcet's disease: Poor medication adherence is an underestimated risk factor.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oral ulcer activity and medication adherence according to gender in Behçet's disease (BD) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group included 330 BD patients (F/M: 167/163, mean age: 38.5±10.5 years). Oral ulcer activity and medication adherence were evaluated in the previous month. Medication adherence was evaluated using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) having a score range of "0" to "8" with high scores indicating better adherence. Low adherence was defined as <6 points on MMAS-8.

RESULTS

Over half of the group had active oral ulcers (n=219, 66.4%) within the month preceding the visit. The number of oral ulcers was significantly higher in female patients with low medication adherence (2.39±3.24) than in the rest of the female group (1.28±2.05; p=0.023). Although a similar trend was also observed in male patients (2.14±3.3 vs. 1.81±2.31), a significant relationship was not observed (p=0.89). The frequency of medication intake per day was lower in patients with high medication adherence than in the rest of the study group (p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Low medication adherence is a hidden risk factor in the management of BD. Poor adherence was associated with oral ulcer activity in female BD patients.