Association between the profile of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Abstract

Background

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have substantially improved the quality of life and survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. However, adherence is a complex and crucial aspect for achieving the desired clinical outcomes. Various factors can influence adherence, including the knowledge about the medications used in treatment.

Aim

To investigate the association between the clinical, sociodemographic and pharmacotherapeutic profile of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Method

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a specialized outpatient clinic for hematological diseases in the Central-West region of Brazil. Treatment adherence was assessed using the Morisky medication adherence scale and the medication possession ratio. A binary logistic regression was performed to investigate the extent to which adherence could be adequately predicted by the independent variables.

Results

The study included 153 patients, with a mean age of 51.8 years and a predominance of males (59.5%). Low adherence was observed in 56.2% of patients (Morisky scale) and 24.8% (medication possession ratio). Among the predictors, being male increased the chances of low adherence by 2.22 times and having comorbidities by 2.17 times. Conversely, an increase in diagnosis time was associated with a 0,09 decrease in the chances of low adherence and “Knowing what to do if you miss a dose” was associated with a 0,58 lower chance of low adherence.

Conclusion

Our study emphasized that adherence can vary depending on the method used and that predictors related to clinical, sociodemographic and pharmacotherapeutic characteristics may be associated with low adherence.