Patient Preference and Adherence (Dec 2023)
Feasibility of Electronic Medication Monitoring Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Sickle Cell Disease
Abstract
Aimee K Hildenbrand,1– 3 Katherine M Kidwell,4 Meghan E McGrady,5,6 Constance A Mara,5,6 Charles T Quinn,6,7 Lori E Crosby5,6 1Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Division of Behavioral Health, Nemours Children’s Hospital Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA; 3Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 4Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA; 5Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 6Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 7Division of Hematology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USACorrespondence: Aimee K Hildenbrand, Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, 1600 Rockland Road, RC-1, Suite 160, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA, Tel +1-302-298-7874, Email [email protected]: To examine the feasibility of using MEMS® bottles to assess adherence among adolescents and emerging adults with sickle cell disease.Patients and Methods: Eighteen non-Hispanic Black participants with HbSS (M = 17.8 years; 61% male) were given a MEMS® bottle to store hydroxyurea (n = 14) or deferasirox (n = 4).Results: One hundred percent initiated MEMS® use and 61% sustained use through the 18-week study; at follow-up, only 11% returned their bottle on time. Barriers to MEMS® use included medication changes and transition to adult care; facilitators included tip sheets and reminders.Conclusion: While MEMS® is acceptable to this population, ensuring sustained use and timely provision of bottles will require additional supports.Keywords: adherence, MEMS, medicine, sickle cell anemia
