Factors Associated With Radiation Treatment Compliance for Women With Cervical Cancer in a Safety Net Health System

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2017 Sep;27(7):1464-1471. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000001035.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether patient characteristics are associated with radiation treatment noncompliance.

Methods/materials: We retrospectively studied 244 patients with cervical cancer treated with chemoradiation between May 2006 and August 2015 at a safety net health center. Compliance with treatment was defined as missing less than 2 days of scheduled radiation.

Results: Treatment records revealed a compliance rate of 50.8% in this population. Factors associated with noncompliance were younger age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.037; P = 0.004), presence of psychiatric diagnosis (HR, 0.581; P = 0.044), and having insurance (HR, 0.484; P = 0.022). Noncompliance was associated with a decrease in disease-free survival (HR, 0.555; P = 0.042) but was not associated with overall survival. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was associated with detriment in overall survival on multivariate analysis (HR, 2.034; P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Younger patients, those with psychiatric illness, and those with insurance define a group that is more likely to be noncompliant with treatment and hence may require up-front intervention to improve outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / psychology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / radiotherapy*