Background: Adherence is critical in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in order to achieve optimal benefit from therapy. However, patient compliance with the treatment remains a challenge.
Objective: To evaluate, in a real-world clinical setting, caregiver preference and treatment compliance with twice-weekly versus daily transdermal rivastigmine patch in mild-to-moderate AD.
Methods: 92 patients who had been treated with daily rivastigmine patch for at least six months prior to switching to twice-weekly patch were evaluated. The change in therapeutic regimen was decided by the treating physician in accordance with standard practice. Caregivers' satisfaction with daily rivastigmine patch was assessed at study entry. Caregiver's preference and satisfaction with twice-weekly patch as well as patient compliance were evaluated at weeks 12 and 24 using the Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Preference Questionnaire.
Results: A significantly higher proportion of caregivers expressed a preference for the twice-weekly patch over the daily patch (p < 0.001), and this preference was found to be associated with ease of use (p < 0.001), ease of following the schedule (p < 0.001), and ease of compliance (p < 0.001). Furthermore, caregivers were more satisfied with the twice-weekly patch (p < 0.0001). At 24 weeks, patient compliance was significantly better with the twice-weekly patch than with the daily patch (p = 0.002). Caregiver burden significantly improved at the end of the treatment (p = 0.003). No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: The twice-weekly rivastigmine patch offers a convenient and straightforward dosing regimen for caregivers, with potential to enhance adherence with treatment in AD patients without causing serious adverse events.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; caregiver burden; caregivers; patient compliance; rivastigmine; transdermal patch.