A long shot? Affective temperaments predict adherence to pharmacotherapy during infertility treatment in a prospective longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION

Research suggests that affective temperaments influence adherence to pharmacotherapy; however, this has not been investigated in infertility treatment. Our prospective longitudinal study assessed the impact of affective temperaments on medication adherence during infertility treatments.

METHODS

179 women presenting at an Assisted Reproduction Centre completed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego (TEMPS-A) questionnaire before treatment, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) six months later. Univariate linear regression assessed whether affective temperaments predict medication adherence; multivariate and interaction models examined the influence of sociodemographic and medical variables on this relationship, and potential moderating effects of age and education.

RESULTS

Higher cyclothymic, depressive, irritable, and anxious affective temperament scores predicted significantly poorer adherence to pharmacotherapeutic recommendations (β = -0.122, p < 0.001, β = -0.178, p < 0.001, β = -0.114, p = 0.002, β = -0.071, p = 0.08; respectively). These results remained significant in multivariate models including sociodemographic and medical factors, which did not influence adherence. Increasing age intensified the negative impact of anxious temperament on medication adherence (β = -0.015, p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Affective temperaments impact adherence to pharmacotherapeutic recommendations among women experiencing infertility, possibly influencing treatment outcomes. Screening for affective temperaments can identify patients at risk of medication non-adherence. Applying patient-tailored psychological interventions to aid adherence could increase the chances of successful pregnancies.