Table 1 Facilitators for medication adherence to allopurinol of febuxostat among African-Americans with gout
Quotes | # Votes | |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 –African American men (four patients) | ||
Adversity to pain | “If I don’t take it everyday, it (gout) would be back in my foot and anywhere.” | 20 |
“It makes the pain stay away.” | ||
“Gout is super painful- I’ll do whatever avoid that pain.” | ||
“It hurts so bad, when I had gout.” | ||
“I have been shot- I’d rather be shot again than have the pain due to gout.” | ||
It is a habit | “It’s simple, once a day.” | 9 |
“Once a week, I put all my medications in a compartment in the pill box.” | ||
“It’s simple-take it once in the morning.” | ||
“Put the pill in the napkin and take it to work.” | ||
“It’s only 1 out of the 10 medications and it’s easy.” | ||
It solved my problem | “When it first happened, I thought I hurt myself, then I was diagnosed with gout; allopurinol solved the problem.” | 8 |
Avoid surgery/complications from other medications | “I had surgery from gout once and it is helping me avoid another- they drained gout from my foot.” | 7 |
“Helps avoid prednisone- put on 60 pounds in 30 days.” | ||
I do not recognize any bad side effects | “I don’t see any side effects.” | 7 |
Can go places that I want to go | “Free to go anywhere” | 5 |
“Can go to movie, park” | ||
“Have my mobility” | ||
“Makes me stay out of bed” | ||
Allopurinol gives me a less restrictive diet | “Before allopurinol, certain foods triggered gout. Now I can eat anything I want in moderation.” | 4 |
Group 2: African-American men (six patients) | ||
I take allopurinol to stop the pain | “Prevent, minimize flare-up.” | 26 |
“To be pain-free.” | ||
“Help keep the pain under control.” | ||
“I hurt so bad, I have to take it.” | ||
“The pain is hell.” | ||
“The pain was so bad, I couldn’t even walk.” | ||
“That’s a given.” | ||
It is a habit | “I have a habit.” | 14 |
“(it’s a) routine” | ||
“I take my meds in the morning- I wake up dry and take my meds with water in the morning.” | ||
“I was taking my meds irregular, then over time it became regular.” | ||
“Being consistent with my blood pressure med made me consistent with my allopurinol.” | ||
Allopurinol is a good medicine that my family practice doctor can prescribe | “I don’t have to see a specialist.” | 13 |
“It costs more and I have to drive longer to see a specialist, if I have to go to specialist; (I go) when a medication other than allopurinol is needed.” | ||
When I am fine, my family is also | “Helps to keep the family to do things that they want to do.” | 8 |
“If I am ok, my family is ok, everything “clicks”.” | ||
To keep my mobility | “…To keep me walking.” | 8 |
“Gout hit me so bad, both sides, I could do nothing; now I can do things.” | ||
“Helps me walk inside and outside.” | ||
“Activities I’d like to do.” | ||
“I am very active, helps me stay active.” | ||
“Let’s me do exercise, bicycling.” | ||
“I can go on the treadmill.” | ||
“Affects my quality of life positively.” | ||
I purchase my meds (including allopurinol) every 90-days, it helps me not run out | “If I get 30-day prescription, I keep running out.” | 7 |
“I do mail order for 90-days.” | ||
“I get it at Costco.” | ||
“90-day is cheaper than 30-day.” | ||
I use a pill organizer, and organize my pills every two weeks | “ I have been using it (pill organizer) for years, that’s the one thing that helped, “that nailed it.” | 7 |
“Just do it.” | ||
“Keep it on the track.” | ||
“Very effective.” | ||
“You go back and see if you took it- sometimes I find out I didn’t take it.” | ||
“It becomes more or less a protocol.” | ||
Allopurinol is an everyday medication | “This is a medication, we have to take every day to keep it in our system.” | 6 |
“If you get off for 2–3 days, it (gout) is coming back.” | ||
Allopurinol gave them a less restrictive diet | “I can eat most things I want.” | 3 |
Group 3: African-American men (five patients)* | ||
I was requested by my doctor | “I have faith in my doctor.” | 17 |
“Think doctors are here for a purpose.” | ||
“My doctor knows the best.” | ||
“Trust.” | ||
Take allopurinol to stop the gout from hurting | “The thought of flare-up (is scary).” | 17 |
“The thought of the condition getting worsening, the pain becoming more severe…” | ||
“Keeps me from having to rush to doctor’s office.” | ||
“You have to take it.” | ||
“Since being on allopurinol, I haven’t had a flare for 2 years.” | ||
“Take allopurinol to prevent the handicap.” | ||
“The thought of condition spreading to other foot.” | ||
Because it helps to keep my uric acid in check | “The reason gout come is that uric acid builds up in the bone; Now uric acid is where it is supposed to be, that’s why my gout is away.” | 14 |
I do not want to report to my doctor that I was not taking my allopurinol | “.. expectations from my doctor (My doc has set expectations).” | 8 |