Adjuvant hormonal therapy for early breast cancer: an epidemiologic study of medication adherence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT) and to identify risk factors for medication non-adherence in clinical practice in patients with early-stage hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC) previously treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional, observational, prospective, and multicenter survey based on a structured self-report postal questionnaire (35 items investigating six areas). A sample of 474 patients was drawn from 676 patients potentially eligible. The structured and validated Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 items was used for measuring medication adherence. An analysis of risk factors for non-adherence to AHT was performed using a two-step approach: univariate, then multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients out of the 428 analyzed patients participated in the survey, yielding a response rate of 65.4% [60.9-69.9]. The prevalence of adherence to AHT was estimated at 68.6% [63.1-74.0], corresponding to a high level of adherence. Three risk factors for non-adherence to AHT were identified: > 2 medications to treat comorbidities (p-value = 0.003), age less than 65 years (p-value = 0.008), and patient management in a university hospital setting (p-value = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence is a common, complex, and multidimensional healthcare problem. This better understanding and knowledge of risk factors will allow healthcare providers (such as oncologists, general practitioners, pharmacists) to more easily identify patients at risk for non-adherence and help them provide appropriate information about AHT and its management, thus improving medication adherence in their patients.

[Adjuvant hormonal therapy for early breast cancer: Assessment of patients' satisfaction]. / Évaluation de la satisfaction de patientes atteintes d'un cancer du sein précoce traitées en adjuvant par hormonothérapie.

INTRODUCTION: Since the cancer plan, evaluation of professional practices is essential to ensure the implementation of high-quality health care. Assess patient satisfaction is one of the pillars of high-quality health care. The main objective of the study was to assess the satisfaction of patients with early breast cancer taking a hormonal therapy, the secondary objective was to identify factors associated with their satisfaction. METHODS: The modified EORTC OUT-PATSAT-35 questionnaire was sent to a sample of patients in Franche-Comté in order to evaluate nine dimensions of satisfaction among which interpersonal skills, provided information, and overall satisfaction. For each dimension, a satisfaction score between 0 (no satisfaction) and 100 (highest satisfaction) was measured. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the factors associated with satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean overall satisfaction score for the 280 patients who answered was 73 [0-100]. Practicing an extra-professional activity was associated with higher satisfaction for several dimensions (odds ratio between 2.80 and 4.12, P<0.05) whereas it was decreased in the case of a modified appetite (odds ratio between 0.27 and 0.52, P<0.05). No link has been shown between satisfaction and adherence. DISCUSSION: The patients were satisfied and several factors impacting their satisfaction were identified, based on a questionnaire that must evolve to take into account the ambulatory aspect of their care. During the consultations, particular attention will be paid to these factors.