Adherence to treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis in Jordan: a cross-sectional study on the effect of quality of life and patients’ beliefs
Abstract
Background: Although patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be prescribed the most appropriate treatment, non-adherence to treatment recommendations was reported to be common. However, the extent of adherence to different treatment regimens in patients with CF and whether the patient’s quality of life and patient’s and parents’ beliefs influence adherence to treatment in Jordan were not previously investigated.
Objective: The study aimed to measure the adherence rate to treatment in patients with CF and determine the effect of health-related quality of patient's life as well as patient and parent beliefs about CF treatment.
Method: At the outpatient clinics of Princess Rahma Hospital and the Medical Royal Services Hospital, 58 children (≤18 years) with cystic fibrosis (31 males; median [range] 9.0 [1.3-18.0] years) and their parents were selected. The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS) was used to measure medication adherence to CF treatment. Refined versions of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire-specific (BMQ-S) were used to measure the treatment beliefs of patients and their parents. The Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) was used to measure the health-related quality of life of the patients.
Results: Comparable adherence rate to cystic fibrosis treatment between patients (57.6%) and parents (61.2%) was found. Parental BMQ differential score (necessity–concern value) was associated with a child adherent (P = 0.005), but the patient quality of life was not found to be predictive of adherence (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Low adherence to CF treatment regimens was revealed. Parental beliefs about CF treatments should be considered when addressing child adherence. Children with CF must be supported to ensure and maintain a satisfactory quality of life throughout their life span.
Keywords: Adherence; Beliefs; Children; Cystic fibrosis; HRQOL; Jordan; Medication Adherence Report Scale; Medicines Questionnaire-specific (BMQ-S)
Citation: Alshraiedeh N, Taybeh EO, Naser AY, Jalil B, El-Qasem A. Adherence to treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis in Jordan: a cross-sectional study on the effect of quality of life and patients’ beliefs. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2026;30(6):742-748. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v30i6.3270
Received: April 28, 2025; Revised: March 26, 2026; Accepted: April 11, 2026
