Efficacy of problem-solving intervention to improve adherence in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis

Background: Adherence to treatment by adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) is often poor. Objectives: To assess the impact of a focused clinical intervention on adherence in individual patients, including help in problem-solving key barriers to adherence. To implement a patient-centered problem-solving intervention using CF My Way tools. To identify and overcome a selected barrier to adherence. Methods: Medication possession ratios (MPRs), number of airway clearance sessions, forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Sixteen patients with CF, aged 23.4 ± 6.7 years, participated. MPR increased for colistimethate sodium and tobramycin inhalationsfromamedianof21(range0–100) to56(range0–100), P = 0.04 and 20 (range 0–100) to 33.3 (range 25–100), P = 0.03, respectively. BMI standard deviation score rose from -0.37 to -0.21, P = 0.05. No significant improvements were found in FEV₁, airway clearance, or HRQoL scores. Conclusions: The CF My Way problem-solving intervention increased adherence to medical treatments by removing barriers directly related to the needs and goals of young adults with CF.