Tamoxifen Discontinuation Rate Surprisingly High in Clinical Practice

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In an analysis of prescribing data released early online in <i>Cancer</i> , researchers found that women discontinued tamoxifen at a substantially higher rate than those previously documented in clinical trials.
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<p>Researchers identified some 2800 women who were starting tamoxifen therapy through an Irish national health program that provides care to about a third of the population (based primarily on age and means testing). The cumulative rate of tamoxifen nonpersistence was about 22% after 1 year and about 35% after 3.5 years. (About a quarter of study participants discontinued tamoxifen and started another hormonal therapy within 180 days; these women were not included in the nonpersistent group.) Independent predictors of nonpersistence included age 35 to 44 years or age &gt;75 years (compared with those aged 45 to 54 years), use of antidepressants in the preceding year, and presence of Parkinson disease or dementia. </p>
<p><font >The authors conclude that their study &quot;demonstrates that persistence with tamoxifen cannot be assumed.&quot;</font><br /><br /> CANCER; Published Online: January 22, 2007<br /></p>