Application of formatted text message in follow-up improves treatment compliance of patients with hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Eighty patients with hyperthyroidism treated in PLA 903 Hospital from February 2016 to May 2017 were randomly divided into two groups with 40 cases in each group. Patients in control group received routine outpatient education and those in study group received regular formatted mobile short message during follow-up in addition to routine education. The knowledge of disease, the compliance and satisfaction of treatment were assessed. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the TSH level was higher [0.430 (0.050, 2.806) vs.0.210 (0.003, 1.098) mU/L, Z=-8.07, P<0.01], FT3 [(3.24±1.18) vs.(4.18±2.07)ng/L, t=-2.49, P<0.05] and FT4 levels [(12.43±6.82) vs.(19.58±19.06) ng/L, t=-2.26, P<0.05] were lower in study group than those in control group. The scores of disease knowledge (6.12±1.77 vs. 5.25±1.79, t=4.67, P<0.05), the Morisky scores of medication compliance (3.77±0.47 vs. 3.37±0.73, t=8.22, P<0.01), the rates of compliance for returning (85% vs. 65%, χ2=4.27, P<0.05) and the satisfaction rates with treatments (93% vs. 75%, χ2=3.30, P<0.05) in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group.The score of disease knowledge in study group increased from 4.32±1.55 before treatment to 6.12±1.77 after 12 weeks of follow-up (t=22.65, P<0.01) . The results indicate that the health education plus regular formatted text message during follow-up can effectively improve the disease knowledge score, the compliance and satisfaction with treatment in patients with hyperthyroidism. \n \n \nKey words: \nHealth education;\xa0Short message, mobile;\xa0Hyperthyroidism;\xa0Medication adherence