Overview of Adherence and Influencing Factors to Capecitabine In Cancer Patients: Systematic Review

Background: The increasing use of oral chemotherapy recently faces new challenges in treatment adherence. This systematic review aimed to assess rates and influencing factors of adherence to capecitabine in cancer patients. Methods: A Systematic review was conducted on online databases at PubMed, Scopus, Sage, and Science direct. A combination of relevant terminology such as "adherence," "cancer patient," "capecitabine," "influencing factors," and "contributing factors" was performed for the search. We included articles published in English from 2010 to 2020. Two researchers independently extracted data relevant to the characteristics of the study. Results: We included and systematically reviewed nine articles. The adherence level varied from 51,2% to 100%, depending on study design, adherence threshold and assessment method, and length of follow up period. Factor consistently influencing adherence in most studies is side effects. Conclusions: Adherence factors to capecitabine therapy are multifactorial. Adverse events were the main factor influencing adherence to capecitabine in most of the studies. Health care intervention is needed to promote treatment adherence among cancer patients taking capecitabine.