COMPLIANCE MONITORING OF NSAID DRUG THERAPY IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS, EXPERIENCES WITH AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE

Abstract

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to compare once-daily 20 mg piroxicam versus once-daily 20 mg tenoxicam in ankylosing spondylitis. We recorded patients' dosing histories with electronic monitors for an average of 225 days (range 55–379) in 34 recipients of piroxicam and 31 recipients of tenoxicam. Dosing histories with the two agents were similar and are combined. Patients took 81% of prescribed doses; 78% once daily (as prescribed) and 3% as two or more daily doses. On 19% of all monitored days, there was no record of a dose being taken; 68% were single no-dose days, the rest (32%) being 2 to > 10 consecutive no-dose days. In 3% of monitored days, extra doses were evidently taken, 88% as twice daily and 12% as three or more daily doses. Only 22% of all patients (14/65) strictly complied with the regimen: one dose daily every day. The remainder alternated between no-dose days and extra-dose days. We found no correlation between patient compliance and improvement in reported pain or morning stiffness.