Patient Preferences for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Medication Regimen Attributes and their Potential Impact on Adherence: Results from a Multi-national Conjoint Study

Abstract

**Background:** Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved survival for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) but require long-term administration and non-adherence due to regimen requirements has been reported. **Objectives:** This study sought to identify how much patients value more convenient regimens and the potential impact that regimen may have on medication adherence. **Methods:** This cross-sectional, six-country study utilized a web-based discrete conjoint experiment (DCE) survey in which participants selected between hypothetical treatments that differed on three attributes: meal requirements/restrictions, frequency of administration, and monthly co-pay, to quantify willingness to pay. Attribute percent importance ratings were derived from a multinomial logit model, and utilities were summed for each product profile to determine the most preferred regimen profile. Additional survey questions asked about attributes perceived to affect adherence and the ease and convenience of participants’ current regimen. **Results:** A total of 318 patients completed the survey; median age 53 years (range 18-87); 43.7% male. Four participants were excluded from the conjoint analysis due to illogical responses. The most important regimen attribute driving preferences was the meal requirement/restriction, which was almost twice as important as dose frequency. The majority of participants preferred the profile of a once a day dosing taken with or without a meal, and estimates of willingness-to-pay helped to quantify this preference. In terms of adherence, the majority of participants perceived that having to fast before and after taking medication would be the most likely reason for missing a dose. **Conclusions:** The results suggest that patients value the convenience of CML treatments and perceive certain regimen characteristics, particularly meal requirements or restrictions, as likely to affect adherence. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the potential impact of treatment convenience on non-adherence and communicate closely with patients to decrease this potential.