Abstract P5-12-12: Prospective evaluation of adherence to adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy among Hispanic/Latino women with breast cancer (BC) living in the border city of El Paso, Texas

Abstract

Abstract Background: Adjuvant therapy with AI improve survival and is recommended to all postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive BC. A typical duration of the therapy is from 5 to 10 years. Despite clinically proven efficacy early discontinuation rate approaching 10% per year. The purpose of this study was to determine the adherence level through the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) among women with breast cancer treated at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC EP). Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained prior to initiating this prospective study. 133 postmenopausal women were consented and participated in this study. Patients seen at the TTUHSC EP who was diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer and who were on adjuvant AIs, were given the MMAS-8 questionnaire, and a demographics questionnaire. In order to identify reasons for non-adherence to AIs, all patients were also asked to identify the reason why they did not take their medication if applicable.Results: One hundred thirty-three patients were enrolled, median age 64 (range 41 - 89), 110 (90.2%) identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino. 58.2% have an income of 15K or less. 39% completed eighth grade or less, 34.5% completed high school, and 12% obtained a technical degree. Mean duration of AI therapy was 6.5 years. The majority of patients have high or intermediate levels of adherence 88%. Only 12 % had a low level of adherence. 7 (5.6%) patients scored two or below in the intentional adherence scale, and 18 (13.5%) scored two or below in the unintentional adherence scale (maximum scale is four). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the majority of patients treated at TTUHSC EP have a high or intermediate level of adherence to AI therapy. The main reason listed for non-adherence were mostly unintentional: forgetfulness and missing getting refills on time. Citation Format: Alexander Philipovskiy, Aleli Campbell, Brenda Castillo, Rosalinda Heydarian, Sumit Gaur, Alok Dwivedi, Zeina Nahleh. Prospective evaluation of adherence to adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy among Hispanic/Latino women with breast cancer (BC) living in the border city of El Paso, Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-12-12.