Persistence with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors in Germany: a retrospective cohort study with 284,383 patients

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the persistence of women on tamoxifen (TAM) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in Germany, and to investigate possible determinants of non-persistence.

Methods: The present retrospective cohort study was based on the IQVIA longitudinal prescription database (LRx). The study included women with an initial prescription of TAM or AIs (anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) between January 2016 and December 2020 (index date). Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to show the persistence for TAM and AI, using a therapy gap of 90 or 180 days, respectively. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was further used to estimate the relationship between non-persistence and drug prescription (AI versus TAM), age, and the specialty of the physician initiating therapy (gynecologist, oncologist, or general practitioner).

Results: Up to 5 years after the index date, only 35.1% of AI and 32.5% of TAM patients were continuing therapy when therapy discontinuation was defined as at least 90 days without therapy. Using a 180-day therapy gap, 51.9% of AI and 50.4% of TAM patients remained on therapy after 5 years. Cox regression models reveal that initial therapy with TAM (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.07), therapy initiation by oncologists (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.07-1.11), or general practitioners (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.21-1.27) and age ≤ 50 (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.10) were significantly associated with an increased risk of therapy discontinuation.

Conclusion: Overall, the present study indicates that persistence rates are low in all age groups for both TAM and AI treatment. We found several factors (e.g., physician specialty, younger age, and type of endocrine therapy) to be associated with an increased risk for non-persistence.

Keywords: Aromatase inhibitors; Breast cancer; Endocrine therapy; Germany; Persistence; Tamoxifen.

Fig. 1

Kaplan–Meier curves for persistence in patients treated with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (considered gap for therapy discontinuation = 90 days)

Fig. 2

Kaplan–Meier curves for persistence in patients treated with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (considered gap for therapy discontinuation = 180 days)