Medication adherence in rheumatoid arthritis patients: older is wiser.

Objectives: To create a profile of individuals nonadherent to their medications in an age-stratified sample (ages 34-84) of community-dwelling rheumatoid arthritis patients. The relative contributions of age, cognitive function, disability, emotional state, lifestyle, and beliefs about illness to nonadherence were assessed.

Design: A direct observation approach was used in conjunction with structural equation modeling.

IgA multiple myeloma presenting as Henoch-Schönlein purpura/polyarteritis nodosa overlap syndrome.

We report the unusual case of a man with a 5-year history of relapsing Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and macroscopic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) as early manifestations of IgA kappa multiple myeloma. The glomeruli contained monoclonal IgA kappa deposits, without other immunoglobulins or lambda light chains. Glomerular deposits lacked the usual electron density but could be demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy.

Cognitive factors and the use of over-the-counter medication organizers by arthritis patients.

The present study investigated the ability of 45 arthritis patients, all using three or more prescription medications, to correctly load their medications into three types of over-the-counter medication organizers. The results indicated that use of a seven-day organizer with compartments for different times resulted in fewer errors than did an hour-by-hour wheel organizer or a seven-day organizer with only one compartment for each day. It was concluded that the seven-day organizer with compartments for different times appears to have the potential to improve compliance behaviors, but the usefulness of the other two organizers in promoting compliance is uncertain.