Correspondence Between Objective and Subjective Reports of Adherence Among Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

This study examined the relation between self-reported oral medication adherence and bioassay adherence indicators among adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Fifty-one adolescents with ALL, who were prescribed 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), were recruited. Adherence was assessed via 6MP metabolites at Days 28, 56, and 112 and adolescent report at Days 56 and 112. Forty-five percent of adolescents reported missing a dose of 6MP, and 53% had bioassay results indicative of nonadherence. Adolescents with lower self-reported adherence were 3.5 times more likely to have low levels of 6MP metabolites. Both self-report and bioassay data confirm the prevalence of 6MP nonadherence among adolescents with ALL.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by grants from the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRFG–02–035), the Children's Oncology Group Chair's Grant, and the Rainbow Board of Trustees.

Notes

∗p < 0.05.