title: Adherence and safety study in patients on treatment with capecitabine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of oral antineoplastic agents in therapeutics has caused a change in the treatment strategy against cancer. The objective of this study was to analyze the adherence in patients to treatment with capecitabine, their adverse events, and the overall health status of patients, as well as the relationship of these factors with adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational, prospective study at 7 months, in a cohort of patients on capecitabine treatment, including treatment initiations and continuations, regardless of diagnosis or indication. The data collected were: demographic variables (age, gender), diagnostic (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, off-label), adherence (tablet count, Morisky test,Sackett test), safety (assessment of adverse events, clinical evaluation by the oncologist) and quality of life (performance status, SF-12 test).
  
  
  METHODS
  electronic clinical records (IANUS®), dispensing program for outpatients (SILICON®) and interviews with patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 111 evaluable patients, with a mean age of 66.7 years (range 32-86), ECOG PS 1 in 76.6%. Adherence level: 78.4% (81.7% in the initiation sub-group vs. 72.5% in the continuation sub-group). Adverse events: skin toxicity (33.33%), asthenia (25.22%), gastrointestinal toxicity (24.32%) and neurological toxicity (24.32%), mostly G1.Health status, SF-12 test: subjective evaluation as "good" in 33.30% of cases. Conclusions: The low level of adherence in the continuation sub-group can be associated with the duration of treatment, toxicities, clinical evolution, and perception of their health status. It is necessary to conduct individualized monitoring in this group of patients in order to obtain a favorable clinical response.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Unit.Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra.. francisca.fernandez.ribeiro@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernández-Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Unit.Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra.. francisca.fernandez.ribeiro@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olivera-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Unit.Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra.. francisca.fernandez.ribeiro@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crespo-Diz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000069287:Capecitabine