Quality of life and adherence to therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with nilotinib as a second line therapy: a multicener prospective observational study

• Published in: Clinical lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia
• Main Authors: Sacha, Tomasz, Góra-Tybor, Joanna, Wąsak-Szulkowska, Ewa, Kyrcz-Krzemień, Sławomira, Mędraś, Ewa, Becht, Rafał, Bober, Grażyna, Kotowska, Aneta, Wącław, Joanna, Hellmann, Andrzej
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; CML; adherence; nilotinib; quality-of-life; second-line therapy
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2017.01.001
• ISSN: 2152-2650

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate quality-of-life (QOL) and adherence to the therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) treated with nilotinib as a second line therapy. Materials and methods A multicenter, prospective observational trial with six time points was conducted; 177 patients were recruited in 23 centers in Poland treated with nilotinib as a second line therapy due to the ineffectiveness or intolerance of their previous therapy. QOL was evaluated with the standard Core Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire. Adherence to the therapy was assessed with the use of 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) by patients and their physicians. Results The average QOL in patients that have completed the study was significantly higher during the last visit (69.4±17.4) than at the start of the study (59.1±18.8; p<0.001). 83.2% of patients assesssed themselves as highly compliant at their first visit and 93.4% at the 5th visit. Low compliant patients represented 1.7% of total during visit 1; none of the patients assessed himself as low compliant since the 4th visit. At the first visit 85.3% of patients were categorized by their physicians as highly compliant and 96.0% during the last three visits. Patients and their physicians assessment were significantly correlated. Conclusion The QOL among patients on nilotinib administered as a second-line therapy was very good and adherence to the treatment was high. The efficacy and safety of the drug were confirmed in the real-life setting.