Keywords
Endocrine therapy
Treatment adherence
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Abstract
Objective: To identify and evaluate clinical, behavioral, and subjective parameters that influence treatment continuity, focusing on self-reported difficulties, adverse reactions, perceived quality of life, and sociodemographic aspects. Methods: This observational study included 131 patients treated in Belém (2022–2024), assessing adherence to tamoxifen, adverse reactions, quality of life, health perception, and clinical and sociodemographic data. An adapted Morisky questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale, descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were applied. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: Only 12.2% of patients showed high adherence, 32.1% low adherence, and 55.7% moderate adherence. Forgetting medication, side effects, and difficulties in continuous use were the main barriers. Low educational level, lower income, and failures in communication with the healthcare team may also negatively influence adherence. Conclusion: Educational strategies, multidisciplinary support, and continuous follow-up are essential to improve adherence and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
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