Sustainment of Hydroxyurea Adherence in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Do hydroxyurea use (ie, taking the medication at all) and adherence (ie, days taken per week) change over time, and are they associated with patient characteristics among individuals with sickle cell disease?This cohort study of 2207 participants revealed that overall rates of hydroxyurea use remained stable (range, 47.5% to 49.3%) over 3 yearly follow-up surveys, but use was lowest among older participants. Hydroxyurea adherence significantly declined on average and was negatively associated with difficulties in executive functioning.These findings suggest that hydroxyurea use and adherence decline after adolescence and that interventions to promote sustainment of hydroxyurea adherence are needed.

Corresponding Author: Andrew M. Heitzer, PhD, Department of Psychology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, MS 740, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 (aheitzer@stjude.org).

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