What happens when people discontinue taking medications? Lessons from COMBINE.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

We use intensive longitudinal data methods to illuminate processes affecting patients' drinking in relation to the discontinuation of medications within an alcohol treatment study. Although previous work has focused on broad measures of medication adherence, we focus on dynamic changes in drinking both before and after patients discontinue.

Design

We conducted secondary data analyses using the COMBINE (Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence) study, focused on participants who discontinued medications prior to the planned end of treatment. Using an interrupted time-series analysis, we analysed drinking in the weeks before and after discontinuation and also studied outcomes at the end of the COMBINE follow-up.

Setting

Unites

SUBMITTER: Stout RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4254710 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature