Understanding beliefs about elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor therapy in adults living with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

Background: A person's beliefs about treatment influence their engagement and adherence to that treatment. The Necessity-Concerns Framework suggests that adherence is influenced by a person's judgement of their own need for treatment (necessity beliefs) and concerns about the potential adverse consequences of taking the treatment. This study was conducted to explore the Necessity-Concerns Framework for elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) therapy (Kaftrio) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: A total of 64 adults with CF were maintained on ETI therapy as part of their routine CF care, and completed the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. Patient demographics, lung function, body mass index and quality of life using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire Revised were collected as part of routine clinical care. Duration of ETI therapy along with medicines possession ratio was recorded.

Results: Patients reported strong beliefs about the necessity of ETI therapy. The majority of patients (78%) reported low concerns about ETI therapy while 22% of patients reported high concerns. A small number of patients (n=4) had concerns which were stronger than their beliefs about necessity.

Discussion: Patients reported strong beliefs in the necessity of ETI therapy. Although concerns were lower, a significant proportion of the sample had strong concerns about their ETI therapy. By being aware of people with CF's necessity and concerns beliefs around ETI therapy clinical teams will be better armed to engage them in treatment decisions and support optimal adherence.