Search

Patients' beliefs about medications are important predictors of medication adherence; however, the relationship between patient beliefs and adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) adherence in patients with breast cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between patient beliefs and adherence to AET. Self-reported questionnaires covering necessity beliefs (NB), concerns beliefs (CB), and adherence were completed by 210 Korean patients with breast cancer. The rate of nonadherence was determined by calculating necessity-concern (N-C) differentials and attitudinal subgroup analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent impact of patient beliefs on nonadherence. Nonadherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale < 8) was reported in 74.3% (n = 156) of patients and predicted by a negative balance regarding AET [odds ratio (OR) = 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83–0.96] and strong concerns about AET such as those in the Ambivalent (OR = 5.41; 95% CI: 1.84–15.92) and Skeptical (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.14–10.65) subgroups. Patient beliefs are significantly associated with adherence to AET in Korean patients with breast cancer. NB, CB, and N-C differentials may be useful intervention targets to improve medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We investigated the contribution of supplement use to total nutrient intake, the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake and the factors associated with supplement use among breast cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 701 Korean breast cancer survivors were included. We calculated the contribution of dietary supplements to total nutrient intake and the proportion of the population below the estimated average requirements (EARs) or exceeding the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs). Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary supplement use. Results: A total of 66.5% of the survivors used dietary supplements, with multivitamins and minerals being the most commonly consumed ones. The per cent contribution of supplement to the total intake was the highest for vitamin C. 28.2%–55.4% of the non‐users consumed below the EAR of riboflavin, folate and calcium; 6.1%, 4.9% and 6.5% of the supplement users consumed above the UL of vitamins A and C, and iron, respectively. Supplement users had higher education levels or longer survival time. Conclusion: 66.5% of Korean breast cancer survivors used dietary supplements. A higher education level or prolonged survival time was associated with higher use of dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]