Adherence Patterns to Medications and Their Association with Subsequent Hospitalization in Adult Egyptian Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This study on 161 Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) found that non-adherence to medication, assessed using the 19-item Compliance Questionnaire of Rheumatology (CQR), was significantly linked to higher hospitalization rates and more severe symptoms, such as recurrent fever, lymphadenopathy, oral ulcers, and substantial hair loss. Adherent patients, who were more likely to have frequent outpatient visits and higher antimalarial use, experienced fewer hospitalizations. Non-adherence was often due to disruptions in daily routine and fear of adverse drug reactions. The findings underscore the importance of improving medication adherence to effectively manage SLE and reduce hospitalizations.