Medical Adherence in Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing Medication Adherence in Cystic Fibrosis during Childhood
IRAS ID
198756
Contact name
Gary Connett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 10 days
Research summary
RESEARCH SUMMARY:
Families of children with cystic fibrosis will be asked to provide informed consent for researchers to access and perform analyses on data concerning the medications that have been dispensed to them for treatment of their condition. Semi-structured interviews will be performed by the paediatric psychologist who works with the CF team to explore themes linked to poor adherence. Children aged over 12 years will be asked to give their assent for study participation.LAY SUMMARY OF STUDY RESULTS:
The aim of the study was to find out the extent to which children with cystic fibrosis (CF) took their treatment and to find out something about the factors that resulted in the extent to which they took their treatment. 22 CF patients aged 1-18 years, on regular medication and cared for by Southampton Children’s Hospital took part in the study. Prescription records were obtained from their GP surgeries to determine how much treatment was being requested by prescription. 6 telephone interviews were carried out with parents to discuss the impacts of CF on the family. Questions were centred on daily routine regarding medications, difficulties encountered due to the demanding regimens and strategies to overcome these difficulties.
The mean percentage of prescription requested versus those that would have been needed for for all adherence was 70.62%. 1-6 year olds had the highest adherence (86.41%), and 12-18 year olds had the lowest (70.62). Adherence was better with oral medications (77.28%) compared to inhaled medications (55.97%) Most parents identified tablets as the least disruptive medications, whereas physiotherapy was frequently the most disruptive. Parents noted that adherence was poorest on weekends and holidays, due to lack of routine.
We conclude that adherence is significantly affected by age, sex and route of administration. Adolescents have reduced parental supervision and increased responsibility, resulting in poorer adherence. Oral medications are less disruptive and time-consuming to daily life, so demonstrate greater adherence than inhaled medications.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0112
Date of REC Opinion
24 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion