Impact of cancer diagnosis on persistence of oral antidiabetic drugs

Cardiometabolic Comorbidities in Cancer Survivors

There are nearly 17 million cancer survivors in the United States, including those who are currently receiving cancer therapy with curative intent and expected to be long-term survivors, as well as those with chronic cancers such as metastatic disease or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who will receive cancer therapy for many years. Current clinical practice guidelines focus on lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and healthy eating habits, but generally do not address management strategies for clinicians or strategies to increase adherence to medications. We discuss 3 cardiometabolic comorbidities among cancer survivors and present the prevalence of comorbidities prior to a cancer diagnosis, treatment of comorbidities during cancer therapy, and management considerations of comorbidities in long-term cancer survivors or those on chronic cancer therapy. Approaches to support medication adherence and potential methods to enhance a team approach to optimize care of the individual with cancer across the continuum of disease are discussed.

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Cancer survivors are at increased risk for several chronic conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.

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Determining optimal management of comorbidities for patients with cancer is critical.

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A multidisciplinary care approach is recommended throughout the continuum of active cancer treatment and survivorship.

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Survivorship research should focus on medication adherence and coordination of care.

Adherence to cardiovascular disease risk factor medications among patients with cancer: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The most common cause of mortality for many cancer survivors is cardiovascular disease (CVD). This requires a shift in thinking where control of CVD risk factor-related comorbidity is paramount. Our objective was to provide an understanding of adherence to medications for the management of CVD risk factor-related comorbidities among cancer survivors.

METHODS

We systematically searched for articles indexed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane (Wiley), PsycINFO, and Scopus (via Elsevier) for articles published from inception to October 31, 2019, and updated the search on June 7, 2021. English language, original research that assessed medication adherence to common CVD risk factor-related comorbidities among cancer survivors was included. We assessed risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

Of the 21 studies included, 57% focused on multiple cancer types. Seventy-one percent used pharmacy-based adherence measures. Two were prospective. Adherence was variable across cancer types and CVD risk factor-related comorbidities. Among the studies that examined changes in comorbid medication adherence, most noted a decline in adherence following cancer diagnosis and throughout cancer treatment. There was a focus on breast cancer populations.

CONCLUSIONS

CVD risk factor-related medication adherence is low among cancer survivors and declines over time. Given the risk for CVD-mortality among cancer survivors, testing of interventions aimed at improving adherence to non-cancer medications is critically needed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

For many cancer survivors, regularly taking medications to manage CVD risk is important for longevity. Engaging with primary care throughout the cancer care trajectory may be important to support cardiovascular health.

Medication Adherence in Patients With Glaucoma After Cancer Diagnosis

PURPOSE

To determine the association between cancer diagnosis and medication adherence in patients with glaucoma.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

Setting: Population-based. StudyPopulation: All patients with confirmed glaucoma in one or both eyes. All patients were aged 20 years or older. Patients who developed cancer within 2 year of a confirmed glaucoma diagnosis or who were dead within 2 year after a confirmed cancer diagnosis were excluded. Intervention orObservationProcedure(s): Individuals without cancer but with a confirmed glaucoma diagnosis were followed until they received a confirmed cancer diagnosis. They were then matched with a group of patients with confirmed glaucoma who did not develop cancer during the study period. MainOutcomeMeasure(s): Secondary adherence measured using medication possession ratio (MPR) at 1-year, 2-year, and 2-year-average intervals.

RESULTS

For both patients with cancer and their matches, MPR was the highest when measured at 1-year intervals. MPR was 0.379 (95% CI: 0.370-0.388) for the cancer group and 0.313 (95% CI: 0.308-0.319) for the cancer-free group. MPR measured using 1-year intervals decreased by 17.4% after cancer diagnosis (P < .001). MPR measured using 2-year and 2-year-average intervals decreased by 10.4% (P < .001) and 9.21% (P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer diagnosis leads to lower medication adherence in patients with glaucoma. To improve medication adherence in patients with glaucoma who also have cancer, policies should directly target the burden associated with having cancer that tends to create barriers for medication refills, rather than targeting risk factors that are also applicable to patients with glaucoma but without cancer.