Compliance with penicillin prophylaxis in patients with sickle cell disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess factors related to compliance with penicillin prophylaxis among patients with sickle cell disease.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
Urban pediatric medical center where universal penicillin prophylaxis is recommended for all patients with any sickle cell hemoglobinopathy independent of age.


METHODS
Eligible patients with sickle cell hemoglobinopathies were enrolled in either the emergency department or the sickle cell clinic.


METHODS
Compliance was assessed by structured interview and by urine assay with an established method (Micrococcus luteus with disk diffusion) that detects excreted penicillin up to 15 hours after each dose administration.


RESULTS
Of the 159 patients actively followed up at the sickle cell center, 123 (77.3%) eligible patients were enrolled. Reported compliance by structured interview (> or = 1 dose of penicillin V potassium within 15 hours of enrollment) was 83 of 123 patients (67.5%; 95% confidence interval, 59.2%-75.8%), whereas measured compliance as determined by urine assay was 53 of 123 patients (43.1%; 95% confidence interval, 31.3%-51.7%). Measured compliance was significantly greater in patients younger than 5 years than in those older than 5 years (25/41 [61%] vs 28/82 [34%], respectively; P = .004), and was significantly greater in patients with private insurance than in those with public insurance (17/28 [61%] vs 33/90 [37%], respectively; P = .02). Measured compliance was not significantly associated with sex, site of recruitment, hemoglobinopathy, or chief complaint in the emergency department.


CONCLUSIONS
Measured compliance was poor, and patients and/or their families frequently misrepresented their compliance when interviewed. These data suggest that efforts are necessary to improve overall compliance, and they identify groups at greatest risk for noncompliance.
Teach
S J
SJ
Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, USA. steach@cnmc.org
Lillis
K A
KA
Grossi
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010406:Penicillins