title: Self-reported compliance with capecitabine: findings from a prospective cohort analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While oral anticancer treatment has increased the convenience for patients with no risk of venous access complications compared to intravenous drug administration, a high level of compliance cannot always be assumed. The aim of the present report was to evaluate real-life drug adherence in a prospective cohort analysis of patients with gastrointestinal or breast cancer treated with capecitabine-based chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine Swiss oncologists recruited patients receiving capecitabine, either as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, in a prospective fashion. Patients recorded both their capecitabine intake and any adverse effects each day in patient diaries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 177 patients were included, 143 (81%) with gastrointestinal tumours and 34 (19%) with breast cancer. Overall, 161 patients (91%) were considered as fully compliant, while 16 patients (9%) reported some kind of compliance error. Reasons for non-compliance included forgetting to take treatment (n = 9), side effects (n = 4) and misunderstanding instructions (n = 3). Self-reported compliance was not influenced by age or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, but there was a trend towards better compliance with capecitabine therapy if fewer adverse effects occurred (p = 0.07, simple logistic regression).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported compliance with capecitabine-based therapy in clinical practice is high and seems to be adversely affected by side effects.
authors: Kantonsspital Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland.
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Winterhalder
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Hoesli
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Delmore
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Pederiva
authors: Albéric
authors: A
authors: Bressoud
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Hermann
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: von Moos