Potentially Modifiable Factors Associated with Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

The impact of symptom clusters on endocrine therapy adherence in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

When taken as prescribed, endocrine therapy is effective in reducing risk of recurrence and mortality in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. However, treatment side effects can act as a barrier to medication adherence. Existing research has not identified any specific side effects as consistent predictors of nonadherence. Our aim was to explore the influence of symptom clusters on self-reported adherence in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted, including patients with breast cancer currently or previously prescribed endocrine therapy (N = 1051). This included measures of self-reported endocrine therapy adherence and common symptoms among this population (insomnia, depression, anxiety, fatigue, musculoskeletal, and vasomotor symptoms).

RESULTS

Unintentional nonadherence was higher than intentional nonadherence (50.8 % vs 31.01 %). The most troublesome symptom was insomnia (73.83 % displayed probable insomnia disorder). K-means cluster analysis identified 2 symptom clusters: overall High symptoms, and overall Low symptoms. Participants in the Low symptoms cluster were significantly more likely to be classed as adherent based on unintentional and intentional items.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonadherence was high in the current sample, and significantly more likely in participants reporting overall severe symptoms. Clinicians should be aware of the scale of common side effects and facilitate open conversation about potential barriers to adherence. Follow-up care should include assessment of common symptoms and signpost patients to appropriate support or treatment when required. Future research should explore potential for a central symptom to act as a target for intervention, to relieve overall side effect burden and facilitate better medication adherence.

Decision-making in the multiphase optimization strategy: Applying decision analysis for intervention value efficiency to optimize an information leaflet to promote key antecedents of medication adherence

Advances in the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) have suggested a new approach, decision analysis for intervention value efficiency (DAIVE), for selecting an optimized intervention based on the results of a factorial optimization trial. The new approach opens possibilities to select optimized interventions based on multiple valued outcomes. We applied DAIVE to identify an optimized information leaflet intended to support eventual adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy for women with breast cancer. We used empirical performance data for five candidate leaflet components on three hypothesized antecedents of adherence: beliefs about the medication, objective knowledge about AET, and satisfaction with medication information. Using data from a 25 factorial trial (n = 1603), we applied the following steps: (i) We used Bayesian factorial analysis of variance to estimate main and interaction effects for the five factors on the three outcomes. (ii) We used posterior distributions for main and interaction effects to estimate expected outcomes for each leaflet version (32 total). (iii) We scaled and combined outcomes using a linear value function with predetermined weights indicating the relative importance of outcomes. (iv) We identified the leaflet that maximized the value function as the optimized leaflet, and we systematically varied outcome weights to explore robustness. The optimized leaflet included two candidate components, side-effects, and patient input, set to their higher levels. Selection was generally robust to weight variations consistent with the initial preferences for three outcomes. DAIVE enables selection of optimized interventions with the best-expected performance on multiple outcomes.

Pilot randomized controlled trial of a program to enhance experience and adherence with adjuvant endocrine therapy among women with non-metastatic breast cancer: 12-month quantitative results

PURPOSE

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces recurrence risk after hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but non-adherence is common. We pilot-tested SOIE, a program to enhance AET experience and adherence, to assess its acceptability, feasibility, and effects on psychosocial precursors of AET adherence.

METHODS

We conducted a 12-month pilot randomized controlled trial among women who had a first AET prescription. Intervention group received SOIE while control group received usual care. Psychosocial factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (intention - primary outcome -, attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control), additional constructs (AET knowledge, social support, coping planning), impact of AET services received, and adherence were measured by questionnaires at baseline, 3-month, and 12-month endpoints. Group patterns were compared using repeated measures analyses with generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 106 women were randomized (participation = 54.9%; intervention n = 52; control n = 54; retention = 93.8%). Among SOIE women, ≥ 90% received the program components and were satisfied. Both groups scored high on adherence intentions and group patterns over time were not statistically different. In the intervention group, AET knowledge and coping planning with side effects increased (group-by-time p-value = .002 and .016), a higher proportion reported that AET services received helped them take their AET (p < .05) and have a consistent daily intake (p = .01).

CONCLUSION

SOIE is feasible and acceptable for survivors with an AET. SOIE did not significantly impact adherence intentions but was beneficial for other program outcomes and daily intake.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

SOIE may represent an encouraging avenue to enhance supportive care and empower survivors with managing AET.

Concurrent factors associated with adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among women with non-metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces breast cancer morbidity and mortality, yet women often report suboptimal adherence. Though correlates of AET adherence are well-documented, few studies examine the relative importance of multi-level factors associated with adherence. The aim of this study was to identify factors most strongly associated with AET adherence in women with breast cancer.

METHODS

Between 10/2019 and 6/2021, women (N = 100) with non-metastatic, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, taking AET who reported AET-related distress enrolled into a clinical trial. Participants completed baseline measures, including the Medication Adherence Rating Scale-5, sociodemographics, and validated measures of anxiety, depression, medication-taking self-efficacy, social support, and treatment satisfaction. We created a latent factor and tested associations between sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics and adherence. Associated predictors (p < .10) were entered into a structural model, which was corroborated via multivariate regression modeling.

RESULTS

A four-indicator latent adherence factor demonstrated good model fit. Participants (Mage = 56.1 years, 91% White) who were unemployed (B = 0.27, SE = 0.13, p = .046) and reported greater treatment convenience (B = 0.01, SE = 0.01, p = .046) reported greater adherence. Scores of participants who reported greater medication-taking self-efficacy (p = .097) and social support (p = .062) approached better adherence. Greater medication-taking self-efficacy (B = 0.08, SE = 0.02, p < .001) and being unemployed (B = 0.28, SE = .14, p = .042) were most strongly associated with greater adherence, independent of other predictors. Multivariate modeling confirmed similar findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication-taking self-efficacy and employment status were associated with AET adherence above other related factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Enhancing patients' confidence in their ability to take AET for breast cancer may represent an important intervention target to boost adherence.

Identifying determinants of adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy following breast cancer: A systematic review of reviews

BACKGROUND

In oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, daily oral adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) for at least 5 years significantly reduces risks of recurrence and breast cancer-specific mortality. However, many women are poorly adherent to ET. Development of effective adherence support requires comprehensive understanding of influences on adherence. We undertook an umbrella review to identify determinants of ET adherence.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane and PROSPERO (inception to 08/2022) to identify systematic reviews on factors influencing ET adherence. Abstracted determinants were mapped to the World Health Organization's dimensions of adherence. Reviews were quality appraised and overlap assessed.

RESULTS

Of 5732 citations screened, 17 reviews were eligible (9 quantitative primary studies; 4 qualitative primary studies; 4 qualitative or quantitative studies) including 215 primary papers. All five WHO dimensions influenced ET non-adherence: The most consistently identified non-adherence determinants were patient-related factors (e.g. lower perceived ET necessity, more treatment concerns, perceptions of ET 'cons' vs. 'pros'). Healthcare system/healthcare professional-related factors (e.g. perceived lower quality health professional interaction/relationship) were also important and, to a somewhat lesser extent, socio-economic factors (e.g. lower levels of social/economic/material support). Evidence was more mixed for medication-related and condition-related factors, but several may be relevant (e.g. experiencing side-effects, cost). Potentially modifiable factors are more influential than non-modifiable/fixed factors (e.g. patient characteristics).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence-base on ET adherence determinants is extensive. Future empirical studies should focus on less well-researched areas and settings. The determinants themselves are numerous and complex in indicating that adherence support should be multifaceted, addressing multiple determinants.

Silent suffering: the impact of sexual health challenges on patient-clinician communication and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among Black women with early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) increases sexual health challenges for women with early-stage breast cancer. Black women are more likely than women of other racial/ethnic groups to report adverse symptoms and least likely to initiate and maintain AET. Little is known about how sexual health challenges influence patient-clinician communication and treatment adherence. This study explores facilitators of and barriers to patient-clinician communication about sexual health and how those factors might affect AET adherence among Black women with early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS

We conducted 32 semi-structured, in-depth interviews among Black women with early-stage breast cancer in the U.S. Mid-South region. Participants completed an online questionnaire prior to interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants' median age was 59 (range 40-78 years, SD = 9.0). Adverse sexual symptoms hindered participants' AET adherence. Facilitators of patient-clinician communication about sexual health included female clinicians and peer support. Barriers included perceptions of male oncologists' disinterest in Black women's sexual health, perceptions of male oncologists' biased beliefs about sexual activity among older Black women, cultural norms of sexual silence among Southern Black women, and medical mistrust.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse sexual symptoms and poor patient-clinician communication about sexual health contribute to lower AET adherence among Black women with early-stage breast cancer. New interventions using peer support models and female clinicians trained to discuss sexual health could ameliorate communication barriers and improve treatment adherence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Black women with early-stage breast cancer in the U.S. Mid-South may require additional resources to address sociocultural and psychosocial implications of cancer survivorship to enable candid discussions with oncologists.

A Machine Learning Model to Predict Patients' Adherence Behavior and a Decision Support System for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Adherence to oral anticancer treatments is critical in the disease trajectory of patients with breast cancer. Given the impact of nonadherence on clinical outcomes and the associated economic burden for the health care system, finding ways to increase treatment adherence is particularly relevant.

OBJECTIVE

The primary end point is to evaluate the effectiveness of a decision support system (DSS) and a machine learning web application in promoting adherence to oral anticancer treatments among patients with metastatic breast cancer. The secondary end point is to collect a set of new physical, psychological, social, behavioral, and quality of life predictive variables that could be used to refine the preliminary version of the machine learning model to predict patients' adherence behavior.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized controlled study is nested in a large-scale international project named "Enhancing therapy adherence among metastatic breast cancer patients" (Pfizer 65080791), aimed to develop a predictive model of nonadherence and associated DSS and guidelines to foster patients' engagement and therapy adherence. A web-based DSS named TREAT (treatment adherence support) was developed using a patient-driven approach, with 4 sections, that is, Section A: Metastatic Breast Cancer; Section B: Adherence to Cancer Therapies; Section C: Promoting Adherence; and Section D: My Adherence Diary. Moreover, a machine learning-based web application was developed to predict patients' risk factors of adherence to anticancer treatment, specifically pertaining to physical status and comorbid conditions, as well as short and long-term side effects. Overall, 100 patients consecutively admitted at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) at the Division of Medical Senology will be enrolled; 50 patients with metastatic breast cancer will be exposed to the DSS and machine learning web application for 3 months (experimental group), and 50 patients will not be exposed to the intervention (control group). Each participant will fill a weekly medication diary and a set of standardized self-reports evaluating psychological and quality of life variables (Adherence Attitude Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Brief Pain Inventory, 13-item Sense of Coherence scale, Brief Italian version of Cancer Behavior Inventory, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 23-item Breast Cancer-specific Questionnaire, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory forms I and II, Big Five Inventory, and visual analogue scales evaluating risk perception). The 3 assessment time points are T0 (baseline), T1 (1 month), T2 (2 months), and T3 (3 months). This study was approved by the IEO ethics committee (R1786/22-IEO 1907).

RESULTS

The recruitment process started in May 2023 and is expected to conclude on December 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of machine learning techniques through risk-predictive models integrated into DSS will enable medication adherence by patients with cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06161181; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06161181.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/48852.

Beliefs about medicines' association with endocrine therapy adherence in early breast cancer survivors in Croatia

This observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (UHC Zagreb) aimed to explore patients' beliefs about adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) as well as their association with non-adherence and sociodemographic and clinical factors. Out of 420 early breast cancer (BC) patients included in the study, 79.5 % perceived AET necessary and important for their health, as measured by the Belief About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), with the mean necessity score (20.4 ± 3.68) significantly higher than the mean concerns score (13 ± 4.81) (p < 0.001). Based on the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), 44.4 % (n = 182) of the participants were non-adherers, out of which 63.2 % (n = 115) were unintentional and 36.8 % (n = 67) intentional non-adherers. Significantly higher concern beliefs were found among patients that were younger (p < 0.001), employed (p < 0.001), intentionally non-adherent to AET (p = 0.006), had a lower body-mass index (p = 0.005) and a higher level of education (p < 0.001), were premenopausal at the time of diagnosis (p < 0.001), taking tamoxifen treatment (p = 0.05) and receiving ovarian suppression (p < 0.001). Younger patients should be recognized as being at risk of non-adherence as they hold greater concern beliefs about medicines.

Optimization of an Information Leaflet to Influence Medication Beliefs in Women With Breast Cancer: A Randomized Factorial Experiment

BACKGROUND

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is low in women with breast cancer. Negative beliefs about the necessity of AET and high concerns are barriers to adherence.

PURPOSE

To use the multiphase optimization strategy to optimize the content of an information leaflet intervention, to change AET beliefs.

METHODS

We conducted an online screening experiment using a 25 factorial design to optimize the leaflet. The leaflet had five components, each with two levels: (i) diagrams about AET mechanisms (on/off); (ii) infographics displaying AET benefits (enhanced/basic); (iii) AET side effects (enhanced/basic); (iv) answers to AET concerns (on/off); (v) breast cancer survivor (patient) input: quotes and photographs (on/off). Healthy adult women (n = 1,604), recruited via a market research company, were randomized to 1 of 32 experimental conditions, which determined the levels of components received. Participants completed the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire before and after viewing the leaflet.

RESULTS

There was a significant main effect of patient input on beliefs about medication (β = 0.063, p < .001). There was one significant synergistic two-way interaction between diagrams and benefits (β = 0.047, p = .006), and one antagonistic two-way interaction between diagrams and side effects (β = -0.029, p = .093). There was a synergistic three-way interaction between diagrams, concerns, and patient input (β = 0.029, p = .085), and an antagonistic four-way interaction between diagrams, benefits, side effects, and concerns (β = -0.038, p = .024). In a stepped approach, we screened in four components and screened out the side effects component.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimized leaflet did not contain enhanced AET side effect information. Factorial experiments are efficient and effective for refining the content of information leaflet interventions.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy uptake, toxicity, quality of life, and prediction of early discontinuation

BACKGROUND

Many patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) for breast cancer experience side effects and reduced quality of life (QoL) and discontinue ET. We sought to describe these issues and develop a prediction model of early discontinuation of ET.

METHODS

Among patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative stage I-III breast cancer of the Cancer Toxicities cohort (NCT01993498) who were prescribed adjuvant ET between 2012 and 2017, upon stratification by menopausal status, we evaluated adjuvant ET patterns including treatment change and patient-reported discontinuation and ET-associated toxicities and impact on QoL. Independent variables included clinical and demographic features, toxicities, and patient-reported outcomes. A machine-learning model to predict time to early discontinuation was trained and evaluated on a held-out validation set.

RESULTS

Patient-reported discontinuation rate of the first prescribed ET at 4 years was 30% and 35% in 4122 postmenopausal and 2087 premenopausal patients, respectively. Switching to a new ET was associated with higher symptom burden, poorer QoL, and higher discontinuation rate. Early discontinuation rate of adjuvant ET before treatment completion was 13% in postmenopausal and 15% in premenopausal patients. The early discontinuation model obtained a C index of 0.62 in the held-out validation set. Many aspects of QoL, most importantly fatigue and insomnia (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL questionnaire 30), were associated with early discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Tolerability and adherence to ET remains a challenge for patients who switch to a second ET. An early discontinuation model using patient-reported outcomes identifies patients likely to discontinue their adjuvant ET. Improved management of toxicities and novel more tolerable adjuvant ETs are needed for maintaining patients on treatment.

Association of cardiovascular disease with health-related quality of life among older women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy

INTRODUCTION

Due to the improved overall survival and life expectancy of older women with breast cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) arose as the primary cause of non-cancer-related deaths in this population. Therefore, assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer patients with comorbid CVD is becoming increasingly vital. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between comorbid CVD and HRQoL among older women with early-stage breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the 2006-2017 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey data. We identified female patients over the age of 65 who were diagnosed with stage I-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and treated with AET. HRQoL was assessed by the physical and mental component summary (PCS & MCS) in the health survey. CVD was defined as a history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), angina, stroke, or other heart-related conditions. We performed multivariate linear regression models while controlling for covariates.

RESULTS

Among 3,904 older women, a history of CHF [β = -1.97, p = 0.025], stroke [β = -3.00, p < 0.010], or other heart-related condition [β = -1.10, p = 0.046] was significantly associated with lower PCS. However, no significant differences in PCS scores were found between women with a history of AMI or angina and those without these conditions. Having a history of CHF [β = -1.72, p = 0.033] or stroke [β = -1.48, p = 0.038] was significantly associated with lower MCS, whereas a history of angina, AMI, or other heart conditions was not associated with significant differences in MCS. Our study did not observe any significant differences in PCS and MCS between the two types AETs.

DISCUSSION

The study found that older women with early-stage breast cancer who were being treated with AETs had a lower HRQoL if they had a history of CHF or stroke. These comorbidities were identified as strong predictors for decreased HRQoL. The findings highlight the significance of managing cardiovascular diseases in such patients for better HRQoL while they receive AET treatment.

Investigation of Factors Affecting Adherence to Adjuvant Hormone Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Adherence and persistence to adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT) are seldom maintained among early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (BC) survivors, despite the significant clinical benefits of long-term AHT. As the factors influencing adherence to AHT remain unclear, this study aimed to comprehensively identify such factors and classify them into specific dimensions.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched for qualified articles. The search mainly focused on three components: early-stage (0-III) BC, oral AHT administration, and adherence to AHT, with keywords derived from MeSH and entry terms. The factors identified were then classified into six categories based on a modified WHO multidimensional model.

RESULTS

Overall, 146 studies were included; the median sample size was 651 (range, 31-40,009), and the mean age of the population was 61.5 years (standard deviation, 8.3 years). Patient- and therapy-related factors were the most frequently investigated factors. Necessity/concern beliefs and self-efficacy among patient-related factors were consistently related to better adherence than depression. Although drug side effects and medication use cannot be modified easily, a refined prescription strategy for the initiation and switching of AHT is likely to increase adherence levels.

CONCLUSION

An effective psychological program that encourages positive views and beliefs about medication and management strategies for each therapy may be necessary to improve adherence to AHT. Social support and a sense of belonging can be enhanced through community participation and social media for better adherence to AHT. Patient-centered communication and appropriate recommendations by physicians may be attributable to better adherence outcomes. Findings from systematically organized factors that influence adherence to AHT may contribute to the establishment of intervention strategies to benefit patients with early-stage BC to achieve optimal health.

Importance of endocrine treatment adherence and persistence in breast cancer survivorship: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Adjuvant endocrine treatment is essential for treating luminal subtypes of breast cancer, which constitute 75% of all breast malignancies. However, the detrimental side effects of treatment make it difficult for many patients to complete the guideline-required treatment. Such non-adherence may jeopardize the lifesaving ability of anti-estrogen therapy. In this systematic review, we aimed to assess the consequences of non-adherence and non-persistence from available studies meeting strict statistical and clinical criteria.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using several databases, yielding identification of 2,026 studies. After strict selection, 14 studies were eligible for systematic review. The review included studies that examined endocrine treatment non-adherence (patients not taking treatment as prescribed) or non-persistence (patients stopping treatment prematurely), in terms of the effects on event-free survival or overall survival among women with non-metastatic breast cancer.

RESULTS

We identified 10 studies measuring the effects of endocrine treatment non-adherence and non-persistence on event-free survival. Of these studies, seven showed significantly poorer survival for the non-adherent or non-persistent patient groups, with hazard ratios (HRs) ranging from 1.39 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.53) to 2.44 (95% CI, 1.89 to 3.14). We identified nine studies measuring the effects of endocrine treatment non-adherence and non-persistence on overall survival. Of these studies, seven demonstrated significantly reduced overall survival in the groups with non-adherence and non-persistence, with HRs ranging from 1.26 (95% CI, 1.11 to 1.43) to 2.18 (95% CI, 1.99 to 2.39).

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review demonstrates that non-adherence and non-persistence to endocrine treatment negatively affect event-free and overall survival. Improved follow-up, with focus on adherence and persistence, is vital for improving health outcomes among patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Extended adjuvant endocrine therapy in a longitudinal cohort of young breast cancer survivors

Extended adjuvant endocrine therapy (eET) improves outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Most studies however have been limited to postmenopausal women, and optimal eET for young survivors is uncertain. We report eET use among participants in the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study (YWS), a multicenter prospective cohort of women age ≤40 newly diagnosed with breast cancer enrolled between 2006-2016. Women with stage I-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, ≥6 years from diagnosis without recurrence were considered eET candidates. Use of eET was elicited from annual surveys sent years 6-8 after diagnosis, censoring for recurrence/death. 663 women were identified as eET candidates with 73.9% (490/663) having surveys eligible for analysis. Among eligible participants, mean age was 35.5 (±3.9), 85.9% were non-Hispanic white, and 59.6% reported eET use. Tamoxifen monotherapy was the most reported eET (77.4%), followed by aromatase inhibitor (AI) monotherapy (21.9%), AI-ovarian function suppression (AI-OFS) (6.8%) and tamoxifen-OFS (3.1%). In multivariable analysis, increasing age (per year odds ratio [OR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.16), stage (II v. I: OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.81-4.51; III v. I: OR: 3.73, 95%CI: 1.87-7.44) and receipt of chemotherapy (OR: 3.66, 95% CI: 2.16-6.21) were significantly associated with eET use. Many young breast cancer survivors receive eET despite limited data regarding utility in this population. While some factors associated with eET use reflect appropriate risk-based care, potential sociodemographic disparities in uptake warrants further investigation in more diverse populations.

Acceptability, fidelity and trial experience of four intervention components to support medication adherence in women with breast cancer: A process evaluation protocol for a pilot fractional factorial trial

Background

The Refining and Optimising a behavioural intervention to Support Endocrine Therapy Adherence (ROSETA) programme has developed four intervention components aiming to improve medication adherence in women with early-stage breast cancer. These are (a) text messages, (b) information leaflet, (c) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based guided self-help (ACT), (d) side-effect management website. Guided by the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy, our pilot trial will use a fractional factorial design to evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a larger optimisation trial. The pilot will include a process evaluation to maximise learning regarding the fidelity and acceptability of the intervention components before proceeding with a larger trial. The trial process evaluation has three aims: to assess the (1) fidelity and (2) acceptability of the intervention components; and (3) to understand participant's trial experience, and barriers and facilitators to recruitment and retention.

Methods

The process evaluation will use multiple methods. Fidelity of the intervention components will be assessed using self-reported questionnaire data, trial data on intervention component adherence, and observations of the ACT sessions. Acceptability of the intervention components and trial experience will be explored using an acceptability questionnaire and interviews with patients and trial therapists. Trial experience will be assessed using a questionnaire and interviews with participants, while barriers and facilitators to recruitment and retention will be assessed using a questionnaire completed by research nurses and participant interviews. The pilot trial opened for recruitment on 20th May 2022 and was open at the time of submission.

Conclusions

This process evaluation will provide information regarding whether the intervention components can be delivered with fidelity within a national healthcare setting and are acceptable to participants. We will also better understand participant experience in a pilot trial with a fractional factorial design, and any barriers and facilitators to recruitment and retention.

Registration

ISRCTN registry ( ISRCTN10487576, 16/12/2021).

A Comparison between the Online Prognostic Tool PREDICT and myBeST for Women with Breast Cancer in Malaysia

The PREDICT breast cancer is a well-known online calculator to estimate survival probability. We developed a new prognostic model, myBeST, due to the PREDICT tool’s limitations when applied to our patients. This study aims to compare the performance of the two models for women with breast cancer in Malaysia. A total of 532 stage I to III patient records who underwent surgical treatment were analysed. They were diagnosed between 2012 and 2016 in seven centres. We obtained baseline predictors and survival outcomes by reviewing patients’ medical records. We compare PREDICT and myBeST tools’ discriminant performance using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The five-year observed survival was 80.3% (95% CI: 77.0, 83.7). For this cohort, the median five-year survival probabilities estimated by PREDICT and myBeST were 85.8% and 82.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for five-year survival by myBeST was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.82) and for PREDICT was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.80). Both tools show good performance, with myBeST marginally outperforms PREDICT discriminant performance. Thus, the new prognostic model is perhaps more suitable for women with breast cancer in Malaysia.

Refining and optimising a behavioural intervention to support endocrine therapy adherence (ROSETA) in UK women with breast cancer: protocol for a pilot fractional factorial trial

INTRODUCTION

Women with breast cancer who do not adhere to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) have increased risks of mortality and recurrence. There are multiple barriers to AET adherence, including medication side-effects, beliefs about medication, memory and psychological distress. We developed four intervention components, each targeting a different barrier. This pilot trial is part of the preparation phase of the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy, and aims to establish key trial parameters, establish intervention component adherence, establish availability and feasibility of outcome and process data, estimate variability in planned outcome measures and estimate cost of developing and delivering each intervention component.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The four intervention components are as follows: short message service text reminders (target: memory); a written information leaflet (target: medication beliefs); a guided self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy programme (target: psychological flexibility to reduce distress) and a self-management website (target: side-effect management). To evaluate the feasibility of recruitment, acceptability of the intervention components and the availability of outcome data, we will conduct a multisite, exploratory pilot trial using a 2^4-1 fractional factorial design, with a nested process evaluation. We will randomise 80 women with early-stage breast cancer who have been prescribed AET to one of eight experimental conditions. This will determine the combination of intervention components they receive, ranging from zero to four, with all conditions receiving usual care. Key outcomes of interest include medication adherence and quality of life. Progression to the optimisation phase will be based on predefined criteria for consent rates, patient adherence to intervention components and availability of medication adherence data.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was reviewed by the Wales Research Authority Research Ethics Committee 3 (21/WA/0322). Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients before randomisation. The results of this trial will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRTCN10487576.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy non-initiation and non-persistence in young women with early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

Characterizing oral adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) non-initiation and non-persistence in young women with breast cancer can inform strategies to improve overall adherence in this population.

METHODS

We identified 693 women with hormone receptor-positive, stage I-III breast cancer enrolled in a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer at age ≤ 40 years. Women were classified as non-initiators if they did not report taking ET in the 18 months after diagnosis. Women who initiated but did not report taking ET subsequently (through 5-year post-diagnosis) were categorized as non-persistent. We assessed ET decision-making and used logistic regression to identify factors associated with non-initiation/non-persistence and to evaluate the association between non-persistence and recurrence.

RESULTS

By 18 months, 9% had not initiated ET. Black women had higher odds and women with a college degree had lower odds of non-initiation. Among 607 women who initiated, 20% were non-persistent. Younger age, being married/partnered, and reporting more weight problems were associated with higher odds of non-persistence; receipt of chemotherapy and greater hot flash and vaginal symptom burden were associated with lower odds of non-persistence. Adjusting for age and clinical characteristics, non-persistence was associated with lower odds of recurrence. Women who initiated were more likely to report shared decision-making than non-initiators (57% vs. 38%, p = 0.049), while women who were non-persistent were less likely to indicate high confidence with the decision than women who were persistent (40% vs. 63%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Interventions to improve ET decision-making may facilitate initiation and address barriers to adherence in young breast cancer survivors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov , NCT01468246.

Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces breast cancer recurrence and mortality of women with hormone-receptor-positive tumors, but poor adherence remains a significant problem. The aim of this study was to analyze AET side effects and their impact on adherence to treatment.

METHODS

A total of 373 breast cancer patients treated with AET filled out a specific questionnaire during their follow up visits at the Breast Unit of our Centre.

RESULTS

Side effects were reported by 81% of patients, 84% of those taking tamoxifen and 80% of those taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The most common side effect in the tamoxifen group was hot flashes (55.6%), while in the AI group it was arthralgia (60.6%). The addition of GnRH agonists to both tamoxifen and AI significantly worsened all menopausal symptoms. Overall, 12% of patients definitively discontinued AET due to side effects, 6.4% during the first 5 years and 24% during extended therapy. Patients who had previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy reported a significantly lower discontinuation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

AET side effects represent a significant problem in breast cancer survivors leading to irregular assumption and discontinuation of therapy. Adherence to AET may be improved by trustful patient-physician communication and a good-quality care network.

Adherence to oral hormonal therapy in advanced prostate cancer: a scoping review

Background:

Orally administrated agents play a key role in the management of prostate cancer, providing a convenient and cost-effective treatment option for patients. However, they are also associated with adherence issues which can compromise therapeutic outcomes. This scoping review identifies and summarizes data on adherence to oral hormonal therapy in advanced prostate cancer and discusses associated factors and strategies for improving adherence.

Methods:

PubMed (inception to 27 January 2022) and conference databases (2020–2021) were searched to identify English language reports of real-world and clinical trial data on adherence to oral hormonal therapy in prostate cancer using the key search terms ‘prostate cancer’ AND ‘adherence’ AND ‘oral therapy’ OR respective aliases.

Results:

Most adherence outcome data were based on the use of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Self-reported and observer-reported adherence data were used. The most common observer-reported measure, medication possession ratio, showed that the vast majority of patients were in possession of their medication, although proportion of days covered and persistence rates were considerably lower, raising the question whether patients were consistently receiving their treatment. Study follow-up for adherence was generally around 6 months up to 1 year. Studies also indicate that persistence may drop further with longer follow-up, especially in the non-mCRPC setting, which may be a concern when years of therapy are required.

Conclusions:

Oral hormonal therapy plays an important role in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Data on adherence to oral hormonal therapies in prostate cancer were generally of low quality, with high heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting across studies. Short study follow-up for adherence and focus on medication possession rates may further limit relevance of available data, especially in settings that require long-term treatment. Additional research is required to comprehensively assess adherence.

Patients' Experience of Medication Brand Changes during Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer-An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Medication adherence to hormone therapy (HT) in breast cancer survivors is often suboptimal and is affected by a range of factors. Patients are usually prescribed different generic formulations of HT drugs and their impact on side effects and on adherence and persistence is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore women's lived experience of HT medication brand changes (generic substitution) and its impact on side effects, quality of life and medication-taking behaviors, as well as on adherence and persistence. Nine female breast cancer survivors who had previous experience of HT medication brand changes participated in the study. Individual, online, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings identified three superordinate themes and nine subordinate themes that influenced the lived experience of medication brand changes for these patients: (i) experiencing brand changes, (ii) responsiveness of health care providers and (iii) future expectations. Women reported negative physical and emotional experiences of brand changes, which is often compounded by healthcare professionals' lack of information and reassurances, disbelief in the worsening of side effects and inconsistent advice regarding generics. These have implications for women's self-efficacy for medication-taking behaviors, ability to manage side effects and HT adherence and persistence.

Development and evaluation of a psychosocial adaptation questionnaire for women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy: a single-centre, cross-sectional study in China

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a psychosocial adaptation (PSA) questionnaire of women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Conducted study in a tertiary care centre in China from March to June 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

Women with breast cancer who have received AET.

METHODS

Item development and extraction were based on literature, qualitative interviews (n=16) and assessment of content validity. 300 participants were recruited to perform item analysis, internal consistency reliability and exploratory factor analysis by cross-sectional studies. Finally, test-retest, criterion validity and confirmatory factor analysis of the questionnaire were performed with 96 respondents.

RESULTS

An initial questionnaire was devised. The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated four factors: emotional response (six items), self-worth (five items), physical impacts (three items) and social communication (two items). The cumulative contribution of the factors was 65.057%. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.876. The correlation coefficient between the questionnaire and General Self-Efficacy Scale was 0.565 (p<0.01). A 16-item questionnaire and its factorial structure were confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

The 16-item questionnaire had good reliability and validity. This could be a useful tool to assess the PSA levels among women with breast cancer treated with AET and provide a basis for further research.

Association of hormone receptor status with cardiovascular disease mortality in 399,209 patients with stage I to III breast cancer: A population-based study

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is known to reduce the risk of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) recurrence and mortality rates, but its impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) events is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the association of HR status with CVD mortality in patients with stage I to III BC. A retrospective study of patients with stage I to III BC was conducted using the 2004 to 2016 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and patients were grouped according to their HR status. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for heterogeneity between the groups. The cumulative incidence rate of CVD mortality was evaluated via a cumulative incidence curve. Univariate and multivariate Fine and Gray's competing risk regression models were used to identify risk factors associated with CVD mortality. In total, 399,209 patients with BC were included in this study, and 329,958 patients (82.65%) were HR-positive. The cumulative incidence of CVD death was 8.28% in stage I to III BC patients. In the constituent ratio analysis, primary BC was the leading cause of death (45.29%, N = 31,465), followed by heart disease (16.07%, N = 11,166). Compared to the second year following BC diagnosis, the risk of CVD-specific death gradually increased. After PSM, 65,952 pairs of patients were matched, which led to the equilibrium of all variables between the HR-negative cohort and HR+ cohort. Multivariate analysis indicated that HR status was not significantly associated with the risk of CVD mortality, with a hazard ratio of 1.01 (P = .895). This study highlights the importance of understanding the associations between risk factors and CVD for BC patients. HR status was not associated with the risk of CVD mortality in this study.

ESO-ESMO fifth international consensus guidelines for breast cancer in young women (BCY5)

We dedicate this manuscript in memory of a dear friend and colleague Bella Kaufman. The fifth International Consensus Symposium for Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCY5) took place virtually in October 2020, organized by the European School of Oncology (ESO) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). Consensus recommendations for the management of breast cancer in young women were updated from BCY4 with incorporation of new evidence to inform the guidelines. Areas of research priorities as well as specificities in different geographic and minority populations were identified. This manuscript summarizes the ESO-ESMO international consensus recommendations, which are also endorsed by the European Society of Breast Specialists (EUSOMA).

Person-centred support programme (RESPECT intervention) for women with breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

The peRson-cEntred Support Programme EndoCrine Therapy intervention is a complex intervention encompassing a person-centred support programme for patients with breast cancer being treated with endocrine therapy (ET). The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of the trial design and patient acceptability of the intervention and outcome measures and to provide data to estimate the parameters required to design the final intervention.

DESIGN

A controlled before-and-after design following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials 2010 statement for feasibility trials.

SETTING

A surgical outpatient clinic in Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-one patients (aged 47-85) with breast cancer who were treated with ET.

INTERVENTIONS

Eligible patients were assigned to the control group or intervention group, which included individual education material, an individualised learning plan and a personalised reminder letter using a person-centred approach. The intervention could be delivered as a telephone or digital follow-up during a 12-week follow-up.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The aims were to determine the recruitment rate, assess the rate of retention, explore whether the intervention was delivered according to the protocol, assess the preferred form of educational support, rate of education sessions, length per education session and length between each education session, determine the distribution of education materials and assess completion rates of patient-reported instruments, including the General Self-efficacy Scale, the Quality of Care from the Patient's Perspective Questionnaire and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.

RESULTS

Eighty-six per cent of the patients in the intervention group completed the intervention and questionnaires 3 months after their inclusion. The call attendance was 90%. During the intervention, the contact nurse complied with the intervention protocol. For self-efficacy, symptoms and quality of care, there were no differences in effect size between the control and intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This intervention seems to be feasible and acceptable among patients.

A telehealth intervention for symptom management, distress, and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients taking adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) after breast cancer face adherence challenges and symptom-related distress. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a telehealth intervention (Symptom-Targeted Randomized Intervention for Distress and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy [STRIDE]) for patients taking AET.

METHODS

From October 2019 to June 2021, 100 patients reporting difficulty with AET were randomly assigned to either STRIDE or a medication monitoring (MedMon) control group. STRIDE included six weekly small-group videoconferencing sessions and two individual calls. We defined feasibility as having >50% of eligible patients enroll, >70% complete the 12-week assessment, and > 70% of STRIDE patients complete ≥4/6 sessions. We monitored adherence with the Medication Event Monitoring System Caps (MEMS Caps). At baseline and 12- and 24-weeks after baseline, patients self-reported adherence (Medication Adherence Report Scale), AET satisfaction (Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire), symptom distress (Breast Cancer Prevention Trial-Symptom Checklist), self-management of symptoms (Self-efficacy for Symptom Management-AET), coping (Measure of Current Status), quality of life (QOL; Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast), and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). We used linear mixed effects models to assess the effect of STRIDE on longitudinal outcomes.

RESULTS

We enrolled 70.9% (100/141) of eligible patients; 92% completed the 12-week assessment, and 86% completed ≥4/6 STRIDE sessions. Compared with MedMon, STRIDE patients reported less symptom distress (B[difference] = -1.91; 95% CI, -3.29 to -0.52; p = .007) and better self-management of AET symptoms, coping, QOL, and mood. We did not observe significant differences in AET satisfaction or adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

STRIDE is feasible and acceptable, showing promise for improving outcomes in patients taking AET after breast cancer.

LAY SUMMARY

Patients taking adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) after breast cancer may face challenges while following their treatment regimen. In this randomized controlled trial of 100 patients taking AET, a brief, small-group virtual intervention (STRIDE) was well-received by patients and led to improvements in how upset patients were due to symptoms, how confident they were in managing symptoms, and how well they could cope with stress. Thus, STRIDE is a promising intervention and should be tested in future multi-site trials.

Supporting adjuvant endocrine therapy adherence in women with breast cancer: the development of a complex behavioural intervention using Intervention Mapping guided by the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality. However, up to three-quarters of women with breast cancer do not take AET as prescribed. Existing interventions to support adherence to AET have largely been unsuccessful, and have not focused on the most salient barriers to adherence. This paper describes the process of developing four theory-based intervention components to support adherence to AET. Our aim is to provide an exemplar of intervention development using Intervention Mapping (IM) with guidance from the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST).

METHODS

Iterative development followed the six-stage IM framework with stakeholder involvement. Stage 1 involved a literature review of barriers to adherence and existing interventions, which informed the intervention objectives outlined in Stage 2. Stage 3 identified relevant theoretical considerations and practical strategies for supporting adherence. Stage 4 used information from Stages 1-3 to develop the intervention components. Stages 1-4 informed a conceptual model for the intervention package. Stages 5 and 6 detailed implementation considerations and evaluation plans for the intervention package, respectively.

RESULTS

The final intervention package comprised four individual intervention components: Short Message Service to encourage habitual behaviours surrounding medication taking; an information leaflet to target unhelpful beliefs about AET; remotely delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based guided self-help to reduce psychological distress; and a website to support self-management of AET side-effects. Considerations for implementation within the NHS, including cost, timing and mode of delivery were outlined, with explanation as to how using MOST can aid this. We detail our plans for the final stage of IM which involve feasibility testing. This involved planning an external exploratory pilot trial using a 2^4-1 fractional factorial design, and a process evaluation to assess acceptability and fidelity of intervention components.

CONCLUSIONS

We have described a systematic and logical approach for developing a theoretically informed intervention package to support medication adherence in women with breast cancer using AET. Further research to optimise the intervention package, guided by MOST, has the potential to lead to more effective, efficient and scalable interventions.

Racial Differences in Patient-Reported Symptoms and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Among Women With Early-Stage, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

IMPORTANCE

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces breast cancer recurrence, but symptom burden is a key barrier to adherence. Black women have lower AET adherence and worse health outcomes than White women.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between symptom burden and AET adherence differences by race.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective cohort study using electronic health records with patient-reported data from a large cancer center in the US. Patients included Black and White women initiating AET therapy for early-stage breast cancer from August 2007 to December 2015 who were followed for 1 year from AET initiation. Sixty symptoms classified into 7 physical and 2 psychological symptom clusters were evaluated. For each cluster, the number of symptoms with moderate severity at baseline, and symptoms with 3-point or greater increases during AET were counted. Adherence was measured as the proportion of days covered by AET during the first-year follow-up. Multivariable regressions for patients' adherence adjusting for race, symptom measures, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics were conducted. Kitagawa-Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition was used to quantify racial differences in adherence explained by symptoms and patient characteristics. Analyses were conducted from July 2021 to January 2022.

EXPOSURES

Physical and psychological symptoms at baseline and changes during AET.

RESULTS

Among 559 patients (168 [30.1%] Black and 391 [69.9%] White; mean [SD] age 65.5 [12.1] years), Black women received diagnoses younger (mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 58.7 [13.7] vs 68.5 [10.0] years old) than White women, with more advanced stages (30 Black participants [17.9%] vs 31 White participants [7.9%] had stage III disease at diagnosis), and lived in areas with fewer adults attaining high school education (mean [SD], 78.8% [7.8%] vs 84.0% [9.3%]). AET adherence in the first year was 78.8% for Black and 82.3% for White women. Black women reported higher severity in most symptom clusters than White women. Neuropsychological, vasomotor, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, distress, and despair symptoms at baseline and increases during the follow-up were associated with 1.2 to 2.6 percentage points decreases in adherence, which corresponds to 4 to 9 missed days receiving AET in the first year. After adjusting for psychological symptoms, being Black was associated with 6.5 percentage points higher adherence than being White.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, severe symptoms were associated with lower AET adherence. Black women had lower adherence rates that were explained by their higher symptom burden and baseline characteristics. These findings suggest that better symptom management with a focus on psychological symptoms could improve AET adherence and reduce racial disparities in cancer outcomes.

Factors influencing five-year adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to determine the rate and identify correlates of adherence and persistence over five years of treatment with adjuvant endocrine therapy in female breast cancer patients.

Methods

Relevant articles were identified from Medline, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and APA PsycArticles. Studies that measured patient adherence in the implementation or persistence phase for a period of at least five years using objective or multiple measures of adherence and investigated correlates of adherence were included. The titles, abstracts and full articles were screened and reviewed by two authors and any discrepancies were discussed with a third author.

Results

Twenty-six studies were included. Mean rate of adherence at five-year for implementation phase was 66.2% (SD = 17.3%), and mean persistence was 66.8% (SD = 14.5%). On average, adherence decreased by 25.5% (SD = 9.3%) from the first to fifth year. Higher rate of adherence was observed through self-report in comparison to database or medical record. Older age, younger age, higher comorbidity index, depression and adverse effects were associated with lower adherence. Treatment with aromatase inhibitors, received chemotherapy, and prior medication use were associated with improved adherence.

Conclusion

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy decreased from the first to fifth year of treatment. On average, one-third of patients were not adherent to treatment by the fifth year. Nineteen recurring factors were found to be significantly associated with long-term adherence in multiple studies. Further research using objective or multiple measures of adherence are needed to improve validity of results.

•

On average, adherence fell by 25.5% from the first to the fifth year of treatment.

•

Self-reported adherence may overestimate patient adherence.

•

Nineteen recurring factors were associated with adherence.

•

Having adverse effects was negatively associated with adherence.

Acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for pain among cancer survivors with insomnia: an exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Pain and insomnia often co-occur and impair the quality of life in cancer survivors. This study evaluated the effect of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on pain severity among cancer survivors with comorbid pain and insomnia. Using data from the CHOICE trial that compared acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia among cancer survivors, we analyzed the effect of interventions on pain outcomes in 70 patients with moderate to severe baseline pain. Interventions were delivered over eight weeks. We assessed average pain severity (primary outcome) and pain interference at baseline, week 8, and week 20. We further defined insomnia and pain responders as patients who achieved clinically meaningful improvement in insomnia and pain outcomes, respectively, at week 8. We found that compared with baseline, the between-group difference (-1.0, 95% CI -1.8 to -0.2) was statistically significant favoring acupuncture for reduced pain severity at week 8 (-1.4, 95% CI -2.0 to -0.8) relative to CBT-I (-0.4, 95% CI-1.0 to 0.2). Responder analysis showed that 1) with acupuncture, insomnia responders reported significantly greater pain reduction from baseline to week 4, compared with insomnia non-responders (-1.5, 95% CI -2.7 to -0.3); 2) with CBT-I, pain responders reported significantly greater insomnia reduction at week 8, compared with pain non-responders (-4.7, 95% CI -8.7 to -1.0). These findings suggest that among cancer survivors with comorbid pain and insomnia, acupuncture led to rapid pain reductions, which contributed to a decrease in insomnia, whereas CBT-I had a delayed effect on pain, possibly achieved by insomnia improvement.

A Survey of Potentially Modifiable Patient-Level Factors Associated with Self-Report and Objectively Measured Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapies After Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Despite the efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in reducing breast cancer recurrence and mortality, suboptimal AET adherence is common and hence an important clinical issue among breast cancer survivors. Delineating potentially modifiable patient-level factors associated with AET adherence may support the development of successful adherence-enhancing interventions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study included 133 breast cancer survivors prescribed AET recruited from a cancer pharmacy. Women completed a baseline questionnaire examining psychosocial factors and self-reported adherence and consented to their prescription records being monitored for the proceeding 12 months to ascertain proportion of days covered (PDC), an objective measure of adherence. Regression analyses were used to identify the factors most strongly associated with both self-reported and objective adherence. Exploratory moderation analyses examined whether factors were differentially associated with adherence based on AET type (aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen).

RESULTS

Adherence was high in this sample (PDC over 12 months was 95%). Side effect severity was most strongly associated with self-reported adherence, followed by self-efficacy, and medication/healthcare system-related barriers. Medication/healthcare system-related barriers was the only factor that uniquely predicted objective adherence. Within medication/healthcare system-related barriers, fear of side effects was most strongly associated with both measures of adherence. There were no significant interactions between AET type and potentially modifiable factors in predicting self-reported or objective adherence.

CONCLUSION

Side effects, reactions to side effects, and self-efficacy may represent modifiable targets through which AET adherence can be improved. Associations between potentially modifiable factors and adherence did not vary by AET type, despite distinct side-effect profiles.