Adherence to Oral Medications During Maintenance Therapy Among Children and Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Medication Refill Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Adherence to oral medications during maintenance therapy is essential for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Self-reported or electronic monitoring of adherence indicate suboptimal adherence, particularly among particular sociodemographic groups. This study used medication refill records to examine adherence among a national sample of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Patients in a national claims database, aged 0 to 21 years with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in the maintenance phase of treatment, were included. Medication possession ratios were used as measures of adherence. Overall adherence and adherence by sociodemographic groups were examined. Adherence rates were 85% for 6-mercaptopurine and 81% for methotrexate. Adherence was

SUBMITTER: Wu YP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5935503 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar/Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature