Assessment of the effects of loneliness, perceived social support, and depression on medication adherence in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the effects of loneliness, perceived social support, and depression on medication adherence of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 119 AS patients. Data were collected using the Morisky-Green-Levine Medication Adherence Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). FINDINGS: Nonadherent patients were younger (P = .033), scored higher on the ULS (P = .015), and BDI (P = .024) scales, and lower on the MSPSS scale (P = .039) and on family support (P = .002). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The biopsychosocial aspects of patients with AS should be managed holistically to improve their medication adherence.