Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41467772›Full record

SynthesisJournal of the American Geriatrics Society2026

Enhancing Medication Adherence in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Strategies.

Stefano Scotti, Luca Pasina, Carlotta Lunghi, Emanuel Raschi, Andrea Rossi, Elena Olmastroni, Marco Salluzzo, Sara Mucherino, Valentina Orlando, Alessandro Nobili and 3 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Symptom Management in Chronic Heart Failure: Strategies and Behaviours From Patients' Perspectives-A Scoping Review.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Stefano ScottiEpidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Service (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID 0009-0008-8881-5912
Luca PasinaHealth Policies Research Department, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Appropriateness of Drug Prescription, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4777-1350
Carlotta LunghiDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7636-6285
Emanuel RaschiDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Andrea RossiEpidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Service (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Elena OlmastroniEpidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Service (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Marco SalluzzoDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Sara MucherinoCenter of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Utilization Research (CIRFF), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Valentina OrlandoCenter of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Utilization Research (CIRFF), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Alessandro NobiliHealth Policies Research Department, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Appropriateness of Drug Prescription, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
Enrica MendittoCenter of Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Utilization Research (CIRFF), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Elisabetta PoluzziDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7209-0426
Manuela CasulaEpidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Service (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5124-5361

Funding

European Union - Next Generation EU 20227C2YLA
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMedication adherence is essential for achieving favorable health outcomes, particularly in older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

objectiveThis systematic review critically appraised current evidence on interventions aimed at enhancing medication adherence in older adults.

methodsLiterature searches were performed in PubMed/MedLine, EMBASE, and Web of Science for articles published up to December 31, 2024. We identified peer-reviewed studies assessing interventions to improve medication adherence in older adults (≥ 60 years). The primary outcome was intervention effectiveness; secondary outcomes were clinical parameters, disease control, health-related quality of life, rehospitalization rates, event rates, mortality rates, feasibility, acceptability or satisfaction levels, and overall costs or cost-effectiveness.

resultsA total of 128 studies was included: 96 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post studies, 9 non-RCTs, and 7 longitudinal evaluations. The majority (51.2%) was implemented in primary care. An educational component was present in 56.3% of interventions, a technical component in 47.6%, and an attitudinal component in 32.0%. Only 3.2% of interventions included rewards. Various healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, nurses, and physicians, were involved in delivering interventions. Most studies reported improved adherence, though some factors, such as high baseline adherence, insufficient intervention intensity, and brief follow-up limited the effectiveness. Secondary outcomes often included improvements in disease knowledge, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and clinical indicators like blood pressure and HbA1c levels.

conclusionsDespite most studies showed a positive impact on adherence, a high heterogeneity was highlighted, and effectiveness was mainly observed in the short term.

Indexed as

Medication AdherenceAgedAged, 80 and overHumansMiddle AgedQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicintervention strategiesmedication adherenceolder adultssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41467772
PMCPMC12911538

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.