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. 2021 Jan 8;23(1):e18901. doi: 10.2196/18901

Table 2.

Adherence measure and medication adherence results of the studies reviewed.

Adherence measure, study, and results on medication adherence Statistically significanta
Serum level (0 - 100)

Levine et al [28]

The coefficient of variability (SD/mean × 100) of tacrolimus levels was 33.0 for the intervention group and 32.8 for the control group (Cohen d = 0.01).
The coefficient of variability was 33.8 for the intervention group and 32.8 for the control group (Cohen d = 0.07).
Fill first prescription (0 %- 100%)

Cizmic et al [39]


49% of the intervention group filled their first prescription compared to 31% of the control group (ORb 2.17; 95% CI 1.29-3.67). +

O’Connor et al [33]


84% of the intervention group filled their first prescription compared to 84% of the control group (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.79-1.11).
Bottle openings (0%-100%)

Kessler et al [45]


Average daily adherence was 53% for the intervention group and 36% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.70). +


Average daily adherence was 55% for the intervention group and 36% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.70). +

Márquez Contreras et al [29]


Average daily adherence was 86% for the intervention group and 63% for the control group (Cohen d = 4.72). +

Montalescot et al [31]


Average daily adherence was 92% for the intervention group and 92% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.02).

Reese et al [34]


Average daily adherence was 77% for the intervention group and 75% for the control group.


Average daily adherence was 71% for the intervention group and 75% for the control group.

Reese et al [34]


Average daily adherence was 73% for the intervention group and 79% for the control group.


Average daily adherence was 75% for the intervention group and 79% for the control group.


Average daily adherence was 75% for the intervention group and 79% for the control group.

Reese et al [35]


Average daily adherence (during the final 90 days) was 78% for the intervention group and 55% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.37). +


Average daily adherence (during final 90 days) was 88% for the intervention group and 55% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.57). +

Svendsen et al [36]


66% of the intervention group was considered adherent compared to 38% of the control group (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.53-6.80). +
PDCc,d (0% - 100%)

Abughosh et al [25]


PDC was 58% for the intervention group and 29% for the control group (Cohen d = 1.32). +

Abughosh et al [26]


PDC was 66% for the intervention group and 57% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.26). +

Choudhry et al [37]


PDC was 46% for the intervention group and 42% for the control group (Cohen d = 0.12). +

Ducoulombier et al [42] +


65% of the intervention group was considered adherent compared to 33% of the control group (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.94-7.07). +

Kooij et al [27]


PDC was 81% for the intervention group and 76% for the control group (Cohen d = 1.34). +

Vollmer et al [38]


PDC was 58% for the intervention group and 56% for the control group (Cohen d = 2.09). +


PDC was 59% for the intervention group and 56% for the control group (Cohen d = 2.14). +
AACTGAIe (0% - 100%)

Claborn et al [40]


Adherence was 81% for the intervention group and 81% for the control group (Cohen d = –0.03).
ITASf (0-12)

Côté et al [41]


Mean ITAS score was 11.7 in the intervention group and 11.3 in the control group (Cohen d = 0.30).
MMAS g (0-8)

Kamal et al [43]


Mean MMAS score was 7.4 in the intervention group and 6.7 in the control group (Cohen d = 0.62). +
MMAS (0-8)

Kamal et al [44]


Mean MMAS score was 7.3 in the intervention group and 7.1 in the control group (Cohen d = 0.03).
MMAS-4 (0-8)

Mira et al [30]


Mean MMAS score was 7.4 in the intervention group and 7.3 in the control group (Cohen d = 0.12; not corrected for baseline). +
MMAS (0-8)

Morawski et al [32]


Mean MMAS score was 6.3 in the intervention group and 5.7 in the control group (Cohen d = 0.35). +

aAs reported by the authors. + indicates P<.05 favoring intervention and – indicates P>.05 (no significant difference between groups).

bOR: odds ratio.

cPDC: percentage of days covered.

dAll PDC outcomes were based on refill data; pill counts were considered separately.

eAACTGAI: Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group Adherence Instrument.

fITAS: Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Instrument.

gMMAS: Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.