Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal
https://www.sciendo.com/journal/MHGCJ
ISSN 2612-2138
Measuring Medication Adherence in Chronic
Diseases: The Psychometric Properties of Simplified
Medication Adherence Questionnaire in Patients
with Chronic Diseases in Rural Greece
Evangelos C. Fradelos1,2, Aikaterini Toska1, Maria Kavadia2, Angeliki Gratsani2, Victoria Alikari3
Stella Zetta1, Kyriakos Souliotis4, Maria Saridi,1
1University of Thessaly, Larissa Greece
2Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece
3University of West Attica Athens, Greece
4Department of Social and Educational Policy, Korinthos, Greece
Abstract
Introduction: Medication adherence is one of the most important factors in the effectiveness of
treatment, especially for patients with chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the adherence
of patients with chronic diseases and investigate the parameters that influence it. It will also
examine the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale, a tool used to assess adherence.
Purpose: The study's main purpose was to assess the psychometric properties of the SMAQ scale,
including its reliability and validity, to evaluate the adherence of patients with medication and to
analyse
the factors that shape it, focusing on the influence of gender, diagnosis, level of
education, marital status, and living conditions.
Methodology: The study was based
on a sample of patients with chronic diseases, such as
cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient's
compliance with medication was assessed using the SMAQ scale. Statistical analysis included chi-
square analysis to examine the association between participant characteristics and compliance,
while logistic regression analysis was also performed to assess the parameters that predict non-
compliance.
Results: The chi-square analysis revealed significant associat
ions between compliance and
parameters such as gender, type of disease, level of education, and marital status. Men and
patients with cardiovascular diseases showed better compliance. Logistic regression indicates
that diagnosis is the most important factor in predicting non-
compliance. Regarding the
psychometric properties of the SMAQ, the scale showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach’s
Alpha = 0.717 and stability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.525). Confirmatory factor
analysis (CFA) confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale, with good fit values (CFI, TLI,
GFI > 0.9).
Conclusions: The results of the study provide valuable data on the factors that influence the
compliance of patients with chronic diseases. The diagnosis appears to be the most important
predictor of non-compliance, while the evaluation of the SMAQ scale indicates that it is a reliable
and valid tool for measuring compliance. The study highlights the need for strategies that will
improve compliance, especially for patients with chronic diseases who may face psychological
and social challenges. Limitations of the study include the sample size and the absence of data
on other psychological parameters, such as mental health, which should be addressed in future
research.
Keywords
Mental Health, Adherence, Patients with Chronic Disease, Rural Greece, Psychometric Properties,
Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire
11
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ISSN 2612-2138
Address for correspondence: Evangelos
C. Fradelos, University of Thessaly.
Gaiopolis Campus, Larissa - Trikala Ring Road, 41500, Larissa, GREECE
Email: efradelos@uth.gr
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
©Copyright: Fradelos et al., 2024
Publisher: Sciendo (De Gruyter)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56508/mhgcj.v
7
i1.
247
Submitted for publication: 07
May 2024
Revised: 17 September 2024
Accepted for publication: 24
November 2024
Introduction
Treatment adherence, as well as the causes
and consequences of non-adherence, has
garnered significant research interest in the
scientific community over the years. Many
researchers focus on the concepts of adherence,
compliance, persistence, and concordance as
terms commonly used to describe a person’s
commitment to a therapeutic regimen (Sabaté,
2003; Sharif-Nia et al., 2024; Alikari et al., 2017).
Treatment adherence refers to the extent to which
an individual’s behaviorsuch as taking
medication, adopting a diet, and changing their
lifestylealigns with the recommendations of a
health professional and results from an agreement
with the patient (Sabaté, 2003).
Adherence emphasizes the collaborative
patient-physician relationship and the patient’s
participation in making decisions about their
treatment. In contrast, compliance describes the
patient’s passive role, where they simply “follow the
doctor’s instructions,” imparting a paternalistic
character to the therapeutic relationship
(Chakrabarti, 2014). The concept of concordance
focuses on a more egalitarian relationship, where
the patient and doctor work together to make
mutually acceptable treatment decisions (Martin
et al., 2005). The practice of adhering to a
medication regimen for the entire recommended
period is known as medication persistence,
defined as "the duration of time from initiation to
discontinuation of therapy" (Cramer et al., 2008).
These constructs, however, are considered distinct
rather than interchangeable (Cramer et al., 2008).
Adherence and concordance are seen as
more modern terms, recognizing the importance
of active patient involvement enhanced through
effective communication with healthcare
professionals. Conversely, compliance is now
viewed as an outdated concept.
According to Burnier (2024), non-adherence in
therapeutic regimens poses significant challenges
in managing chronic diseases, resulting in poor
disease control and increased risks of
complications. Factors such as complex
medication plans, patients' limited understanding
of their disease, and socioeconomic status
influence adherence levels (Burnier, 2024;
Romash, 2023). Nfor and Warri (2024), in a
qualitative study, identified factors contributing to
non-adherence among hypertensive patients.
These included limited knowledge about the
disease and its treatment, negative attitudes
toward disease management, time constraints,
lack of social support, and poor relationships with
healthcare professionals (Nfor & Warri, 2024).
A systematic review by Gast and Mathes (2019)
explored factors influencing adherence to
medication for chronic conditions. The findings
revealed that higher educational levels and
employment positively correlate with adherence,
while ethnic minority status, unemployment, and
high drug costs negatively impact adherence,
highlighting social inequalities in healthcare.
Additional factors, such as age, disease duration,
and treatment complexity, showed inconsistent
results, while drug costs consistently had a
negative effect. These results underscore the need
for targeted interventions in vulnerable populations
to improve adherence (Gast & Mathes, 2019).
While various methods exist to assess treatment
adherence, self-reported measures are
commonly used in healthcare settings. One such
tool is the Simplified Medication Adherence
Questionnaire (SMAQ), known for its simplicity and
validity in clinical settings. The SMAQ quickly
evaluates adherence, making it particularly
suitable for time-constrained environments. It has
demonstrated reliability and validity, with high
sensitivity and specificity in detecting non-
adherence based on patient self-reporting
(Knobel et al., 2002).
SMAQ evaluates various aspects of
adherence, including missed doses (intentional or
unintentional), medication timing, dosage
changes, and subjective compliance
assessments. Its multidimensional approach
enables its application across diverse populations
and conditions, facilitating comparisons and
customization to individual needs. Moreover, it
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ISSN 2612-2138
serves as a risk detection tool, aiding clinicians in
identifying patients with low adherence and
implementing tailored interventions. SMAQ’s
importance lies in enhancing adherence, a
critical factor for successful treatment in chronic
diseases requiring long-term medication use
(Agala et al., 2020; VATREN et al., 2011).
Purpose
Despite extensive international research on
medication adherence, data on patients with
chronic conditions in rural areas of Greece remain
limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to
examine the psychometric properties of a Greek-
adapted SMAQ in patients with chronic diseases
and identify demographic factors associated with
treatment adherence.
Methodology
Study setting and participants
From January 2024 to August 2024, individuals
suffering from cardiovascular or rheumatic
disease located in Trikala and Heraklion took part
in an anonymous survey using the convenience
sample approach. Inclusion criteria were to have
a diagnosis of one of the diseases, be able to read
and speak Greek and be free of serious mental
health disorders.
Data collection
Data were collected via an anonymous
questionnaire consisting of two parts:
The first part contained questions regarding
demographic and clinical characteristics such as
gender, age, diagnosis, etc.
The second part was the simplified medication
adherence questionnaire. The Simplified
Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) is a
tool that assesses patients’ adherence to their
medication therapy, providing a quick and easy
way to assess compliance, particularly in chronic
diseases such as HIV, diabetes, and hypertension.
It consists of 6 questions that focus on missed
doses, frequency of missed doses, changes in
dosage, difficulty in taking medication at specific
times, recent missed doses, and subjective
assessment of compliance. Responses are
typically binary (Yes/No), and even a single
negative indication (e.g., missed dose or change
in dosage) can classify the patient as non-
compliant. The SMAQ has the advantage of being
quick and easy to administer, understandable by
patients with low educational levels, and suitable
for use in time-constrained settings. However, it
depends on the honesty of the responses, is less
detailed than other tools, such as the Morisky
scale, and can be influenced by socially desirable
responses. It is used both in clinical studies and in
daily clinical practice to detect patients who need
more support (Agala et al., 2020; VATREN et al.,
2011).
The translation and cultural adaptation
process
Adhering to WHO's guidelines (WHO, 2012) the
translation and cultural adaptation of the SMAQ
involved several stages. Initially, two independent
bilingual translators, both healthcare professionals,
translated the English version into Greek. These
translations were then merged and revised by a
third translator to create a single Greek version. This
Greek version was then translated into English by
two separate individuals who were proficient in
English. The resulting English versions were
combined into a single version by a third translator.
This final English version was administered to ten
patients diagnosed with one of the mentioned
diseases, and the cognitive interview method was
employed. During this process, patients shared
whether they encountered any confusing or
challenging aspects. Generally, nine out of the ten
patients reported no such issues.
Statistical analysis
Descriptive and inferential statistics are applied
to this study. The data was examined using
descriptive statistics (frequency, mean values, and
standard deviations) and inductive statistics to
address all the research questions. Analyses of
variance (ANOVA), independent t-tests, spearman
and Pearson correlation, regressions, internal
consistency (Cronbach's coefficient), and
confirmatory factor analyses were carried out
using SPSS26.0 and JASP. The significance level
was set to p ≤0.05
Ethics
The study was approved by the ethics
committee. Participants were approached by the
researchers, who provided them with the
necessary information, assured them of their
anonymity, and clarified that they could withdraw
from the study at any time.
Results
Most of the sample comprises females (73.1%)
and participants diagnosed with cardiovascular
disease (53.8%). Over half of the participants are
married (55.0%), and most live with others (69.9%).
The study includes a notable proportion of
individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (28.5%) and
widowed individuals (28.1%), reflecting diverse
living arrangements and social statuses among
the sample. Detailed participants' characteristics
are presented in Table 1
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Over half (54.8%) are reporting that consistently
take their medication on time, but 54% have
discontinued medication when feeling unwell,
and 57.2% have forgotten doses. Most
participants (77.9%) missed a dose 1-2 times in the
past week, and 58.4% have never forgotten
medication during weekends. Regarding
adherence in the past three months, 83.5%
missed medication up to two times, while 16.5%
missed it more than twice
Table 1. Participants Characteristics
Variable Group1 N Percentage
Gender
Male
67
26.9
Female
182
73.1
Diagnosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
71
28.5
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
44
17.7
Marital Status
Cardiovascular Disease
134
53.8
Single
25
10.0
Married
137
55.0
Divorced
17
6.8
Living arrangement
Widowed
70
28.1
alone
75
30.1
Cohabited
172
69.9
Considering that, according to the SMAQ
scoring system, a patient is classified as non-
adherent if they report missing even a single dose
of medication, the adherence rate in our sample
is 27.2%. Detailed statistics are presented in Table
2.
Reliability analysis of the SMAQ
The test-retest method was applied to explore
the test-retest repeatability of the SMAQ. Τwenty-
five patients completed the questionnaire at
baseline and two weeks later.
Table 2. Participants' Medication Adherence Behaviors
Do you always take your medication at the
Responses
Ν
Percentage
YES
137
54.8
When you feel bad, have you ever discontinued
No
113
45.2
YES
135
54
Have you ever forgotten to take your medication?
No
115
46
YES
143
57.2
No
107
42.8
Never
5
2
1-2 times
194
77.9
3-5 times
44
17.7
6-10 times
5
2
More than 10
times
1
0.4
No
146
58.4
In the past 3 months, how many days did you not
take your medication at all?
Yes
104
41.6
up to two times
208
83.5
More than two
times
41
16.5
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This interval is interposed so that the
individuals do not recall their answers. Upon the
analysis, significant correlations were observed
between the two-administration (p<0.001) facts
(Intraclass Correlation Coefficients = 0.525) that
reveal that the scale is stable through time. In
addition, Cronbach’s Alpha had a value of 0.717
suggesting acceptable internal consistency of
the scale. Moreover, the value of Cronbach’s
Alpha will not increase if the scale discarded
items. All items exhibited strong correlations to
the total score. This fact adds to the excellent
internal consistency of the scale.
Construct validity of SMAQ
Finally, we performed a CFA to test the one-
factor structure of the scale. Regarding CFA, the
model tested was equivalent to the original
factorial structure of the SMAQ as proposed by
other authors. The model presented a
reasonably good fit to the data. Tucker-Lewis
index (TLI) was near 0.9, comparative fit index
(CFI) and goodness of fit index (GFI) were above
0.9 and standardized root mean square residual
(SRMR) was 0.075 and lower than 0.10. Overall,
our CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure
of the scale.
Bivariate analysis
The results in Table 3 summarize the
association between patient characteristics and
treatment adherence, as assessed by chi-
square tests. Gender, type of disease,
educational status, marital status, and living
arrangements were significantly associated with
adherence. Male patients and those with
cardiovascular disease were more adherent,
while lower adherence was observed among
those with rheumatoid arthritis lower educational
levels, and individuals living alone.,
Logistic Regression analysis
The logistic regression model examines
predictors of non-adherence to treatment,
considering factors such as gender, age,
education, marital status, living arrangement,
and type of disease. Among the variables
analyzed, type of disease showed a statistically
significant association with non-adherence to
treatment (p < .001), with a negative estimate
indicating reduced adherence for certain
disease types. Other factors, such as gender,
age, education, marital status, and living
arrangements, were not statistically significant
predictors (p > 0.05). Detailed information is
presented in Table 4.
The table 4 includes parameter estimates,
standard errors, z-values, Wald statistics,
confidence intervals, and p-values for each
variable. Non-adherence is coded as class 1.
Confidence intervals reflect the range of effect
estimates at a 95% confidence level.
Table 3: Chi-Square Results on Adherence to Treatment and Patient Characteristics
Adhering to
treatment
Not adhering
to treatment
Chi-
Square
p-value
Gender
Male
26
41
6.103
0.013
Female
42
140
Type of Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
70
65.812
< 0.001
Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus
2
42
Cardiovascular
Disease
65
69
Educational
Classes in primary
school
16
32
34.068
<0 .001
Status
Primary school
26
22
Junior High school
8
13
High school
11
43
University
6
61
Postgraduate
1
10
Marital
Single
4
21
16. 936
<0 .001
Status
Married
28
109
Divorced
4
13
Widowed
32
38
Living
arrangement
Alone
29
46
7.114
0,008
Cohibated
39
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Discussion
Interpretation of Findings
The results of our study show that medication
adherence is strongly influenced by disease
type, as demonstrated by both correlations and
logistic regression. Patients with rheumatoid
arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are
more likely to be non-adherent, highlighting the
need for targeted interventions in these groups.
In addition, low education and living alone
emerged as important factors associated with
non-adherence. These findings reinforce the
literature on the need for an individualized
approach to patient support.
The sample of our study has high
heterogeneity in terms of diagnosis, marital
status, and living conditions, a fact that
strengthens our results. Despite the heterogeneity
in our study most participants were women
(73.1%) and were diagnosed with cardiovascular
disease (53.8%), reflecting the prevalence of
these diseases and the participation of women
in relevant studies. Notara, Kokkou, and
Panagiotakos (2024) discuss the prevalence of
cardiovascular disease in women and highlight
that women's cardiovascular health is often
neglected in scientific research, with women
being underrepresented in relevant clinical trials.
This has led to a lack of understanding of the
specific risks faced by women, which are
influenced by factors such as pregnancy,
menopause, and hormonal changes. The "Go
Red for Women" initiative, also discussed in the
article, emphasizes the need to strengthen
prevention and awareness of cardiovascular
diseases in women while promoting their
participation in research. At the same time, the
Hellenic Cardiological Society highlights that
women face increased risks after menopause
due to increased lipids and cholesterol, while
conditions such as preeclampsia during
pregnancy increase the risk of future heart
disease. Representation of women in studies is
crucial for improving treatment approaches,
developing targeted prevention measures, and
ensuring equal care regardless of gender
(Notara, Kokkou, & Panagiotakos, 2024).
Despite the general consistency (54.8%) in
adhering to the medication schedule, there is a
high percentage of participants who have
forgotten or skipped doses, especially during
difficult times (57.2% missed doses, 54%
stopped medication when feeling unwell).
Prabahar et al. (2021) explored the factors
influencing medication adherence in patients
with chronic diseases in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia,
emphasizing the challenges that patients face in
managing their treatment regimens. From the
Table 4. Logistic regression analysis predicting non-adherence to treatment.
95% Confidence interval
Estimate
Standard
Error
z
Wald
Statistic
Lower
bound
Upper
bound
p
(Intercept)
8.688
2.281
3.808
14.503
4.216
13.159
< .001
Gender
0.207
0.399
0.517
0.268
-
0.576
0.990
0.605
Age
0.005
0.021
0.242
0.058
-
0.036
0.047
0.809
Educational
Status
-0.180
0.153
-
1.182
1.396
-
0.480
0.119
0.237
Marital
Status
-0.266
0.246
-
1.083
1.172
-
0.749
0.216
0.279
Living
arrangement
-0.017
0.446
-
0.038
0.001
-
0.891
0.857
0.970
Type of
disease
-2.704
0.682
-
3.965
15.722
-
4.041
-1.367
< 0.001
Non-Adhered coded as class 1.
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total of 208 participants 159 (76.44%)
participants were adherent to their medications
and nearly one-quarter of patients were
nonadherent to their medications. According to
their results, significant differences between
male and female patients regarding their
medication adherence were observed. A recent
systematic review from Chen, Gao, and Lu
(2024) suggests that patients’ adherence to
treatments is influenced by psychological and
emotional factors, such as the perception of
illness or the difficulties patients face during their
difficult times (Chen, Gao, & Lu, 2024). This shows
that adherence depends not only on the
patient’s habits but also on emotional and
psychological states that can cause medication
omissions or discontinuation. For example, while
patients may have the intention to follow their
prescription, factors such as the perception of
the severity of the condition or emotional
reactions to symptoms can be an obstacle to full
compliance. This reinforces the importance of
addressing not only the routine of taking
medications but also the psychological aspects
of the illness, to improve treatment adherence
rates. The findings of the chi-square analysis in
this study indicate that medication adherence is
significantly associated with the gender,
education, marital status, and living conditions of
patients. Men and patients with cardiovascular
diseases showed better adherence, while
patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic
lupus erythematosus showed lower adherence.
Also, patients with lower levels of education and
those living alone were more likely to not adhere
to the medication schedule. These findings
agree with other studies examining factors that
influence medication adherence. According to
the review by Gast and Mathes (2019), factors
such as socioeconomic status, family support,
and patient perception of treatment are
determinants of adherence. Their studies
suggest that patients with chronic diseases, such
as hypertension and diabetes, are more prone
to relapse and non-compliance with medication
recommendations when social factors and
family support are insufficient. The study by Al-
Noumani et al. (2023) reinforces these findings,
showing that social factors and family support
are also important factors affecting compliance
in patients with chronic diseases in Oman.
Patients with less family support had higher rates
of non-compliance, which indicates the
importance of family support in the
management of chronic diseases. According to
the research by Alikari et al. (2015), family support
and social factors are also associated with
compliance in patients undergoing
hemodialysis. Their study showed that patients
with better social support had better
compliance, highlighting the importance of
social support in enhancing medication
adherence. Furthermore, the study by Alikari et
al. (2015) is in agreement with the findings of the
present study, as patients who live alone or have
limited social support are more prone to non-
adherence. Men, as also reported in the review
by Gast and Mathes (2019), appear to be more
likely to adhere to their medication regimen
compared to women, highlighting the
importance of gender as a factor in adherence.
These results highlight the need to consider
socioeconomic and psychological factors in
developing strategies to promote medication
adherence, particularly for patients with chronic
diseases.
The results of the analysis of the stability and
internal consistency of the SMAQ scale in the
present study are encouraging. The Internal
Consistency Coefficient (Cronbach's Alpha =
0.717) indicates good internal consistency of the
scale, while the stability through Intraclass
Correlation Analysis (Intraclass Correlation
Coefficient = 0.525) is acceptable and confirms
the reliability of the scale for repeated
measurements at repeated intervals. These
findings agree with other studies focusing on the
validity and reliability of the Simplified Medication
Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). The study by
Knobel et al. (2002), for example, validated the
SMAQ scale in patients with HIV, confirming the
validity of the scale and its good consistency in
a large group of patients. The authors found that
the SMAQ scale was reliable in assessing
medication adherence in these patients, which
reinforces its suitability in other populations with
chronic diseases. Ortega Suárez et al. (2011) also
validated the SMAQ scale in kidney transplant
patients receiving tacrolimus, highlighting the
validity of the scale for use in different types of
patients with different treatments. The results
showed that the SMAQ scale was a good fit and
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was reliable in assessing adherence in patients
with kidney disease. Finally, the study by Soares
et al. (2024) in Brazil validated a Portuguese
version of the SMAQ scale in adults with
hypertension and found that the scale also had
high internal consistency and stability, confirming
the general reliability of the scale in populations
from different geographical areas and medical
conditions. All these studies support the utility
and reliability of the SMAQ scale for assessing
medication adherence in diverse population
groups, which strengthens its validity and use in
the present study.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths of the study include the reliability of the
methodology, the variety of participant
characteristics, and the use of reliable statistical
tools, such as chi-square analysis and logistic
regression. However, limitations include the size
and homogeneity of the sample, the reliance on
self-reported data, and the lack of data on other
factors such as mental health or socioeconomic
status (Gast & Mathes, 2019; Al-Noumani et al.,
2023). Nevertheless, the findings enhance our
understanding of the parameters that influence
adherence and provide useful information for
improving adherence promotion strategies in
patients with chronic diseases.
Conclusions
The study findings indicate that patients'
compliance with medication is influenced by
important factors such as gender, diagnosis,
level of education, and living conditions. Men
and patients with cardiovascular diseases
showed better compliance, whereas a diagnosis
of rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus
erythematosus was associated with lower levels
of adherence. The results of the logistic
regression analysis confirm that the type of
disease is the strongest predictor of non-
compliance. In addition, the use of the SMAQ
scale proved to be reliable, offering a useful tool
for assessing compliance. Despite the potential
of the study, limitations such as sample size and
the lack of data on other factors (e.g., mental
health) limit the generalizability of the results.
Despite these limitations, the study provides
valuable evidence for improving adherence in
the treatment of chronic diseases.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interes.
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