To adhere or not to adhere: Rates and reasons of medication adherence in hematological cancer patients

Alix E Hall; Chris Paul; Jamie Bryant; Marita C Lynagh; Philip Rowlings; Anoop Enjeti; Hannah Small

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.08.025

To adhere or not to adhere: Rates and reasons of medication adherence in hematological cancer patients

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016 Jan:97:247-62. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.08.025. Epub 2015 Sep 26.

Authors

Alix E Hall¹, Chris Paul², Jamie Bryant³, Marita C Lynagh⁴, Philip Rowlings⁵, Anoop Enjeti⁶, Hannah Small⁷

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: alix.hall@newcastle.edu.au.
² Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: chris.paul@newcastle.edu.au.
³ Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: jamie.bryant@newcastle.edu.au.
⁴ Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: marita.lynagh@newcastle.edu.au.
⁵ Haematology Unit, Calvary Mater Hospital Newcastle, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: philip.rowlings@newcastle.edu.au.
⁶ Haematology Unit, Calvary Mater Hospital Newcastle, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: anoop.enjeti@calvarymater.org.au.
⁷ Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: hannah.small@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 26412718
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.08.025

Abstract

To conduct a comprehensive review to examine among hematological cancer patients: (1) rates of adherence to self-administered cancer treatments; and (2) factors impacting on their adherence. Fifty two eligible publications were identified. The majority focused on Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) (n=40) and Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia (ALL) (n=11) patients. Adherence rates varied and depended on the definition and measures used. Patient understanding about their disease and treatment, and forgetting to take their medication impacted on patients' level of adherence; while the use of reminders reduced forgetfulness. There is a lack of valid and reliable information relating to medication adherence of hematological cancer patients. Based on the limited data available we provide a profile of CML and ALL patients at potential risk of medication non-adherence, as well as a proposed checklist that can be used by health care providers in assessing and supporting patients in adhering to their medication.

Keywords: Adherence; Compliance; Hemato-oncology; Hematological cancer; Medication.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Humans
Medication Adherence*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents