Anita Ramesh, Suma Abhinaya, Likitha Chowdary, Mareneni Malathi, Sindhu Chowdary,Vanitha Rani N, Thennarasu P
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was conducted to assess the medication adherence patterns, toxicities and the quality of life of the patients with progressive solid malignancies, receiving metronomic chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods: 51 patients of either sex, aged above 18 years, attending the medical oncology unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital were included and data on demographics and cancer chemotherapy was obtained. The overall adherence towards chemotherapy was assessed by 8 itemed Morisky adherence scale, patients’ propensity towards adherence was determined by Merck`s Adherence Estimator, quality of life of patients was assessed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-30 and toxicities through Common Toxicity Criteria rating scale.
Results: The study identified haematological side effects (25.4%) like neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia as grade-3 and grade-4 toxicities. All other toxicities were of grade-1 and grade-2 type. According to morisky adherence scale 88.2% patients showed medium adherence. By Merck’s adherence estimator 55% had a high risk for non-adherence due to sentimental reasons and financial burden of the chemotherapy.
Conclusion: Metronomic chemotherapy had less severe ADRs and the requirement for the administration of intravenous drugs was minimized which benefits the patients who are often too sick to travel frequently to the hospitals.
Keywords: chemotherapy, metronomic, toxicities, adherence, quality of life