Background: Imatinib mesylate (IM) treatment adherence is a challenge, especially in an economic-social population neglected from developing countries.
Objective: To create a new complementary audiovisual educational intervention model to improve IM treatment adherence of CML patients.
Methods: Two adherence verification methods were applied before and after intervention: modified Morisky-Green test and molecular responses (BCR-ABL transcripts quantification). Adherence estimates were calculated using univariate and multivariate component analysis (MCA) for the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients.
Results: Modified Morisky-Green test results demonstrated a substantial increase of CML patient adherence from 23% (pre-film) to 65% (post-film). Greater improvement was obtained for patients presenting major molecular response (MMR) from 38% (pre-film) to 60% (post-film). Although slight gain for complete molecular response (CMR) from 23% (pre-film) to 26% (post-film) was achieved, it represents a total tumour regression. MCA identified that females <50 years-old, using less than two medications (no disease associated) and CMR condition were the most benefited with intervention.
Conclusion: Audiovisual educational intervention was an effective complementary pro-adherence model, activating patient memory and improving IM treatment adherence. Although this intervention shows effective, not all patients responded as expected, being necessary a combination of educational and clinical interventions to improve IM adherence.
Keywords: Audiovisual intervention; Imatinib mesylate; Morisk-Green test; adherence complementary model; molecular response.