title: Factors affecting patient compliance with compressive brace therapy for pectus carinatum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting patient compliance with brace therapy for pectus carinatum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six pectus carinatum patients who started brace therapy from August 2008 to November 2011 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who wore the brace for ≥6 months (compliance group) or patients who wore the brace for <6 months (non-compliance group). Factors affecting patient compliance were assessed at the last day of follow-up with a multiple-choice questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised seven items: pain at compression site, skin problems on compression area, confidence in brace treatment, shame, discomfort, initial result of bracing treatment and total number of factors affecting patient compliance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six patients completed the survey, including seven (8.1%) female patients and 79 (91.9%) male patients, with a mean age of 12.0 years at the time of treatment (range, 3-20 years). The initial result of the compression period (P <0.001) and total number of factors affecting patient compliance (P <0.05) were significant predictors of patient compliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An initial successful result of the compression period may increase patient compliance during treatment for pectus carinatum. Additional efforts to decrease pain, skin problems, shame and discomfort, and to give confidence may be beneficial in increasing compliance with bracing treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, International St Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Du-Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Junho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sangho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jinkyung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea chestlee@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Sungsoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D066166:Pectus Carinatum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brace therapy; Compliance; Pectus carinatum