Lower Adherence to Clotting Factor Replacement Therapy in Patients with Haemophilia Associated with More Depressive Symptoms: Two Centers Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to examine the association of depressive symptoms with medication adherence levels in a combined sample from Croatia and Slovenia. Participants in the study were adult patients with haemophilia receiving prophylaxis or on-demand treatment (N = 109). Their age was between 18 and 73 years (M = 43.86, SD = 14.89). Self-reported medication adherence (implementation phase) was measured with The Validated Haemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale, while depressive symptoms were measured with Beck Depression Inventory II. Comparison of adherence scores using t-test indicated that participants using prophylaxis were more adherent than participants using on-demand treatment on total scale and time and plan subscales. In hierarchical regression analyses depressive symptoms were a significant predictor for the total score and time subscale after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Screening for depressive symptoms and improving medication adherence of patients using on-demand treatment is recommended.