Costs of treatment affect compliance to specific subcutaneous immunotherapy

• Published in: European annals of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 87 - 94
• Main Authors: SILVA, D, PEREIRA, A, SANTOS, N, PLACIDO, J. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fidenza Mattioli 1885 01-03-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Desensitization, Immunologic - economics; Desensitization, Immunologic - methods; Female; Health Care Costs; Humans; Immunopathology; Injections, Subcutaneous; Logistic Models; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Compliance; Human; cost-effectiveness; patient compliance; Costs; Desensitization; Subcutaneous; economical factors; Immunology; Treatment; Health economy; Immunotherapy; subcutaneous immunotherapy; Treatment compliance; Economic aspect; Allergen Immunotherapy; Cost efficiency analysis
• ISSN: 1764-1489

Specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is cost-effective; however its economical burden can lead to non-adherence. We aimed to identify the reported reasons, patient's personal or socio-demographic characteristics and SCIT-related factors associated with non-adherence to SCIT.
This is a cross-sectional, observational study held in a Portuguese University Hospital. All records from patients starting SCIT in the last 4 years were reviewed in July 2011. Those without registry of SCIT administration in the previous 3 months were included (n = 181). A telephonic survey was performed and 56 were confirmed as non-adherent; reasons for discontinuation were assessed. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were developed using characteristics previously described as being associated with non-adhesion.
Economical burden of SCIT was the most important factor leading to treatment discontinuation (40%). In the univariate analysis, presence of family history of allergic disease treated with immunotherapy was associated with decreased OR of non-adherence to SCIT (OR [95%CI] = 0.31 [0.11- 0.88]). In the multiple logistic regression model, none of the factors was significantly associated with non-adherence.
Adherence is influenced by economic factors. More attention should be given to the impact of economic changes in allergic patient's treatment.