Comparing adherence levels of CLL treatment from both the patient and physician perspective in the U.S.

Abstract

e19009 Background: Prior research has shown that there is a lack of congruency between physicians and patients regarding choice of therapy in CLL care. The aim of this study was to look at whether there are any similar differences in regard to perceptions of drug adherence between a group of CLL patients and their corresponding physicians. Methods: From February to May 2016, the Adelphi CLL Disease Specific Programme (DSP) recruited US physicians who are responsible for treatment decision-making in CLL. Patient Record Forms (PRF) and Patient Self-Completion questionnaires (PSC) were completed by physicians and patients, respectively. Means and standard deviations (SD) were calculated for continuous variables, and proportions were calculated for categorical variables. Results: A total of 81 physicians and 326 patients participated in the CLL DSP. The majority of physicians were heme-oncologists (68%), male (79%), and practiced in both a hospital and office-based setting (86%). Physicians reported that 87% of their CLL patients were “always” or “almost always” adherent to their CLL treatment. However, only 42% of patients reported that they were “never” or “hardly ever” non-adherent to CLL treatment. Patients reported that their physicians addressed adherence in the following methods: physicians asked patients about adherence (56%), nurses/other staff assisted patients (23%), physician did not check (15%), pill checking (3%), materials/resources were given (1%), and other (2%). Three-quarters (75%) of physicians reported that they discussed adherence with their CLL patients consistently. Conclusions: In this study, patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of adherence with regard to CLL treatment were not aligned. Although most physicians reported consistent discussions about adherence with their patients, the majority of patients reported subpar adherence to CLL treatment. As more oncology medications, including those approved in CLL, are available in a pill or capsule formulation and thus self-administered, it will be increasingly important to make patients aware of the importance of adhering to their medication and including physicians and caregivers in this dialogue.