Mixing Medicines: How Many Pills Do Arthritis and Lupus Patients Swallow?

Polypharmacy, or taking 5 or more pills daily, are a big deal for those who are new to their arthritis or lupus diagnosis. The new diagnosis journey for these folks is similar, A study in Quebec gives new patients in RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) were tracked for two years. The number of medications that these patients were taking increased over time. The study found that two years after enrollment, the number of arthritis patients taking multiple pills went up from 43% to 74%. Similarly, the number of lupus patients taking multiple pills went from 47% to 73%. It took so many medications to control these diseases. The study also checked whether taking more pills made the disease better or worse, which was surprising.

Polypharmacy may have some benefits for arthritis patients in the first year. This effect vanished after two years, indicating that controlling disease through polypharmacy is complicated. Other side matters too like you can't say more meds equals better health. The study found that taking many different medications did not necessarily mean better control of lupus. But most patients were taking their medication consistently. When they did not their disease control may get worse. One big question is whether those 90% are taking too many to control their disease. Maybe not. Patient compliance with drugs seemed to be an issue because a lot of the patients stuck to their meds 85% of the time. The study shows that this disease control is an ongoing battle. It is not a journey that can be finished in a year. Polypharmacy could have benefits, complications, and the benefits may disappear over time

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