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Patient noncompliance with self-administered chemotherapy
A H Lebovits1, J J Strain, S J Schleifer
1Department of Anesthesiology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203.
Cancer
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Patient nonadherence to oral cancer chemotherapy is common, affecting 43% of patients. Lower income and community-based treatment settings were linked to higher rates of missed doses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Self-administered oral chemotherapy is increasingly used for cancer treatment.
- Patient nonadherence to prescribed medication regimens can significantly impact treatment efficacy and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of nonadherence to oral cancer chemotherapy.
- To identify patient-specific factors contributing to nonadherence.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one breast cancer patients receiving oral cyclophosphamide and/or prednisone were interviewed over six months.
- Two self-report measures of nonadherence (dosage and behavioral) were developed and assessed.
- Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with noncompliance.
Main Results:
- 43% of patients met criteria for noncompliance by both dosage and behavioral measures.
- Nonadherence was higher in community-based settings compared to academic settings.
- Lower patient income was significantly associated with increased nonadherence.
Conclusions:
- Patient nonadherence is a significant issue in oral chemotherapy, impacting nearly half of patients studied.
- Treatment location and patient income are key factors influencing adherence rates.
- Clinical research must account for nonadherence rates and control for treatment setting.