Describing, predicting and explaining adherence to total skin self-examination (TSSE) in people with melanoma: a 12-month longitudinal study

Citation

Allan JL, Johnston DW, Johnston M & Murchie P (2022) Describing, predicting and explaining adherence to total skin self-examination (TSSE) in people with melanoma: a 12-month longitudinal study. BMJ Open, 12. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056755

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe trajectories in melanoma survivors' adherence to monthly total skin self-examination (TSSE) over 12 months, and to investigate whether adherence trajectories can be predicted from demographic, cognitive or emotional factors at baseline.DESIGN: A longitudinal observational study nested within the intervention arm of the ASICA (Achieving Self-Directed Integrated Cancer Aftercare) randomised controlled trial.SETTING: Follow-up secondary care in Aberdeen and Cambridge UK.PARTICIPANTS: n=104 adults (48 men/56 women; mean age 58.83 years, SD 13.47, range 28-85 years; mean Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation score 8.03, SD 1.73, range 2-10) who had been treated for stage 0-IIC primary cutaneous melanoma in the preceding 60 months and were actively participating in the intervention arm of the ASICA trial.INTERVENTIONS: All participants were using the ASICA intervention-a tablet-based intervention designed to support monthly TSSE.PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was adherence to guideline recommended (monthly) TSSE over 12 months. This was determined from time-stamped TSSE data recorded by the ASICA intervention app.RESULTS: Latent growth mixture models identified three TSSE adherence trajectories (adherent -41%; drop-off -35%; non-adherent -24%). People who were non-adherent were less likely to intend to perform TSSE as recommended, intending to do it more frequently (OR=0.21, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.81, p=0.023) and were more depressed (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.61, p=0.011) than people who were adherent. People whose adherence dropped off over time had less well-developed action plans (OR=0.78, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.96, p=0.016) and lower self-efficacy about TSSE (OR=0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99, p=0.028) than people who were adherent.CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to monthly TSSE in people treated for melanoma can be differentiated into adherent, drop-off and non-adherent trajectories. Collecting information about intentions to engage in TSSE, depression, self-efficacy and/or action planning at outset may help to identify those who would benefit from additional intervention.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03328247).

Keywords
Adult; Child; Child; Preschool; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Melanoma/diagnosis; Self-Examination; Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis

Notes
Funding statement This work was supported by a grant from a Cancer Research UK Population Research Committee project award (C10673/A21685). The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Cancer Research UK. The funder (through their peer review and funding board review process) approved the study proposal but had no role in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, or writing of the report.

Journal
BMJ Open: Volume 12

• Allan Et Al 2022.full