Adherence to oral chemotherapy among colorectal cancer patients: A longitudinal study

Abstract Purpose The aims of this study were (1) to describe adherence to oral chemotherapy among colorectal cancer patients on different courses of chemotherapy, and (2) to explore the associated factors with oral chemotherapy adherence in colorectal cancer patients. Method This investigation was a longitudinal study. We selected a convenience sample of 132 patients with colorectal cancer. We finished a six-month follow-up investigation by a questionnaire at different stages of chemotherapy. Results The percentage of colorectal cancer patients who had poor overall oral chemotherapy adherence was 71.4%, and adherence declined over the course of chemotherapy. According to a logistic regression analysis, whether the patients lived with their parents, job status during chemotherapy and their health benefits were related to oral chemotherapy adherence. Conclusions This study showed that overall oral chemotherapy adherence among Chinese colorectal cancer patients was poor, especially during the last stage of chemotherapy, and adherence showed a downward trend during chemotherapy. The adherence could be improved by interventions related to family, work and patients' perception of oral chemotherapy.