Self-reported medication adherence in differentiated thyroid cancer survivors: Role of illness perception and medication beliefs

BASIM P., Argun D., ÖZDENKAYA Y.

Head and Neck, vol.43, no.2, pp.428-437, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/hed.26488
  • Journal Name: Head and Neck
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.428-437
  • Keywords: differentiated thyroid cancer, levothyroxine, medication adherence, medication beliefs
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: To investigate medication adherence (MA) to Levothyroxine in differentiated thyroid cancer survivors and analyze the related factors for nonadherence. Methods: The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) were used to assess MA. Results: Nonadherence was reported in 77 of 197 patients (39.1%). Socioeconomic status and education levels were found to be significantly related to MA. The HAD scores, all items of B-IPQ, and BMQ were associated with MA and showed a correlation with the MARS scores. The primary predictors of MA were greater confidence in treatment modality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.63) and greater belief that the medication had minimal risk of harm (OR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.50-7.49). Conclusions: Special attention should be paid to educational programs for differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients concerning the effectiveness and low risk of harm of medication in order to improve MA.