Evaluation of the readability levels of patient information leaflets of frequently prescribed drugs in rheumatology practice


Abstract views: 137 / PDF downloads: 131

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26900/hsq.2063

Keywords:

Rheumatology, Patient information leaflet, readability level

Abstract

The development and use of new drugs have accelerated in proportion tothe increase in understanding of the pathogenesis of rheumatological diseases. In the treatment of rheumatological diseases, regular and proper use of drugs prevents disease progression and protects the patient from potential exacerbations and complications. The readability of patient information leaflets (PILs) increases treatment compliance. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the readability levels of PILs of frequently prescribed drugs in rheumatology practice. A total of 182 frequently prescribed medications in rheumatology practice were randomly selected. The PILs of these drugs were scored according to Ateşman and Bezirci-Yılmaz readability scales and their readability levels were thus determined. It was determined that the PILs could be read with 11-12 years of education and high school education on average according to Ateşman and Bezirci-Yılmaz readability scales respectively. Considering the fact that the mean schooling level in Türkiye is 6.5 years, the readability levels of the PILs of frequently prescribed medications in rheumatology practice are well above this level. It is suggested that the current readability of the PILs is adjusted in accordance with the patients’ level of understanding and education and arrangements to increase the readability levels are made.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bortoluzzi A, Furini F, Generali E, Silvagni E, Luciano N, Scirè CA. One year in review 2018: novelties in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018;36(3):347-61. doi: 10.4414/smw.2016.14290.

Scriffignano S, Perrotta FM, De Socio A, Lubrano E. Role of comorbidities in spondyloarthritis including psoriatic arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(1):3-10. doi: 10.1007/s10067-018-4332-7.

Van der Heijde D, Ramiro S, Landewé R, Baraliakos X, Van den Bosch F, Sepriano A, et al. 2016 update of the ASAS-EULAR management recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(6):978-91. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210770.

Smolen JS, Landewé RBM, Bijlsma JWJ, Burmester GR, Dougados M, Kerschbaumer A, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):685-99. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216655.

Kalyoncu U, Ertenli AI, Küçüksahin O, Dalkılıc HE, Erden A, Bes C, et al. Switching between biological DMARDs and associated reasons in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis treatments: TReasure study-real life data [in Turkish]. J Turk Soc Rheumatol. 2019;11(1):1-9. doi: 10.2399/raed.19.99608.

Chao R, Kavanaugh A. Psoriatic arthritis: newer and older therapies. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2019;21(12):75. doi: 10.1007/s11926-019-0866-1.

Roberts J, O’Rielly DD, Rahman P. A review of ustekinumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Immunotherapy. 2018;10(5):361-72. doi: 10.2217/imt-2017-0149.

Sharma SK. Use of Biologics and biosimilars in rheumatology. J Assoc Physicians India. 2017;65(5):9-14. doi: 10.1007/s00296-016-3444-0.

Malcova H, Strizova Z, Milota T, Striz I, Sediva A, Cebecauerova D, et al. IL-1 Inhibitors in the treatment of monogenic periodic fever syndromes: from the past to the future perspectives. Front Immunol. 2021;11:619257. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.619257.

Tavakolpour S, Alesaeidi S, Darvishi M, GhasemiAdl M, Darabi-Monadi S, Akhlaghdoust M, et al. A comprehensive review of rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(11):2977-94. doi: 10.1007/s10067-019-04699-8.

Broen JCA, van Laar JM. Mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and tacrolimus: mechanisms in rheumatology. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2020;16(3):167-78. doi: 10.1038/s41584-020-0374-8.

Richette P, Doherty M, Pascual E, Barskova V, Becce F, Castañeda-Sanabria J, et al. 2016 updated EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of gout. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(1):29-42. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209707.

Walsh TM, Volsko TA. Readability assessment of internet-based consumer health information. Respir Care. 2008;53(10):1310-5.

Atesman E. Türkçede Okunabilirliğin Ölçülmesi. Dil Dergisi. 1997. p. 71-4.

Bez B, Yılmaz AE. A software library for measurement of readability of texts and a new readability metrıc for Turkish [in Turkish]. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Fen ve Mühendislik Derg. 2010;12(3):49-62.

Flesch R. A new readability yardstick. J Appl Psychol. 1948;32(3):221-33. doi: 10.1037/h0057532.

Sayın Kasar K, Karadakovan A. Elderly individuals investigation of antihypertensive drugs use error. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2017;8:20-7. doi: 10.5543/khd.2017.39200.

Sarı A, Dizen Kazan E. How readable are antihypertensive drug inserts? J Health Sci Med. 2023;6(2):273-6. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1213113.19. Pires CM, Cavaco AM. Exploring the perspectives of potential consumers and healthcare professionals on the readability of a package insert: a case study of an over-the-counter medicine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;70(5):583-8. doi: 10.1007/s00228-014-1645-6.

Arandy DA, Abu-Hashia MW, Al-Hroub BM, Qatmosh SA, Koni AA, Qeeno BG, et al. Comparative evaluation of drug information leaflets for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Palestine: local versus imported products. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19(1):892. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4754-1.

Otón T, Carmona L, Andreu JL. What do patients on methotrexate need and expect at the clinic? An online patient survey. Rheumatol Int. 2023;43(4):735-41. doi: 10.1007/s00296-022-05249-3.

El Masri H, Hollingworth SA, van Driel M, Benham H, McGuire TM. Real-world questions and concerns about disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): a retrospective analysis of questions to a medicine call center. BMC Rheumatol. 2020;4:27. doi: 10.1186/s41927-020-00126-7.

Yesilyurt ME, Karadeniz O, Gülel FE, Çağlar A, Kangalli Uyar S. Mean and expected years of schooling for provinces in Turkey [in Turkish]. Pamukkale J Euras Socioeconom Studies. 2016;3(1):1-7. doi: 10.5505/pjess.2016.55706.

Özkan S, Dikmen Ugras A, Tüzün H, Karakaya K. Prevalence and determiners of health literacy in Turkey. Turkey Health Liter J. 2020;1(1):33-45.

Downloads

Published

2023-10-13

How to Cite

Ertürk, A. (2023). Evaluation of the readability levels of patient information leaflets of frequently prescribed drugs in rheumatology practice . HEALTH SCIENCES QUARTERLY, 3(4), 241–249. https://doi.org/10.26900/hsq.2063

Issue

Section

Original Article