Lower Adherence to Clotting Factor Replacement Therapy in Patients with Haemophilia Associated with More Depressive Symptoms: Two Centers Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Studia psychologica 2022-04, Vol.64 (1), p.64-75
• Main Authors: Butkovic, Ana, Bago, Martina, Preloznik Zupan, Irena, Faganel Kotnik, Barbara, Prga Borojevic, Ivana, Bacic Vrca, Vesna, Zupancic Salek, Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular disease; Chronic illnesses; Complications and side effects; Cross-sectional studies; Depression, Mental; depressive symptoms; Disease prevention; Drug therapy; Hemophilia; Hospitalization; Life expectancy; medication adherence; Mental depression; Patient compliance; patients with haemophilia; Psychological research; Questionnaires; Sociodemographics
• ISSN: 0039-3320; 2585-8815
• DOI: 10.31577/sp.2022.01.839

The aim of this study was to examine the association of depressive symptoms with medication adherence levels in a combined sample from Croatia and Slovenia. Participants in the study were adult patients with haemophilia receiving prophylaxis or on-demand treatment (N = 109). Their age was between 18 and 73 years (M = 43.86, SD = 14.89). Self-reported medication adherence (implementation phase) was measured with The Validated Haemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale, while depressive symptoms were measured with Beck Depression Inventory II. Comparison of adherence scores using t-test indicated that participants using prophylaxis were more adherent than participants using on-demand treatment on total scale and time and plan subscales. In hierarchical regression analyses depressive symptoms were a significant predictor for the total score and time subscale after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Screening for depressive symptoms and improving medication adherence of patients using on-demand treatment is recommended.