title: Identifying socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with medication beliefs about aromatase inhibitors among postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-adherence/persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy can negatively impact survival. Beliefs about medicines are known to affect adherence. This study aims to identify socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with medication beliefs among women taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women completed an online survey on beliefs about AI therapy [Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ)], beliefs about breast cancer [Assessment of Survivor Concerns scale (ASC)], and depression [Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8)]. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Bivariate analyses and linear regression models were performed to investigate relationships between variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 224 women reported currently taking AI therapy and were included in the analysis. Significantly higher concern beliefs were found among women who had at least mild depression, experienced side effects from AIs, and previously stopped therapy with another AI. Significant correlations were found between concern and necessity beliefs and cancer and health worry. Women age 70 and older displayed less fear of cancer recurrence and health worry, and a trend towards lower necessity and concern beliefs. No differences were found for other variables. In the regression model, greater necessity beliefs were found with increases in the number of current prescription medications (B = 1.06, 95% CI 0.31-1.81, p = 0.006) and shorter duration of current AI therapy (B = -0.65, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.07, p = 0.029), whereas greater concern beliefs were associated with higher depression scores (B = 1.19, 95% CI 0.35-2.03, p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medication necessity and concern beliefs were associated with a definable subset of patients who may be at higher risk for non-persistence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, 410 N. 10th Street, PO Box 980533, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. tmsalgado@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Karen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Farris
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, 9401 Jeronimo Rd., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA.
authors.forename: Souhiela
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fawaz
authors.affiliation: Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.affiliation: Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Cir of Hope Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84103, USA.
authors.forename: N Lynn
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors
keywords: Adjuvant endocrine therapy; Aromatase inhibitor; Beliefs about medicines; Medication adherence; Persistence; Socio-demographic characteristics