[Adherence to treatment after kidney transplantation as quality indicator of the information received: Longitudinal study of 2 years follow-up]

Abstract

Introduction: Transplantation is an optimal form of treatment for end-stage renal disease, but requires lifelong adherence to immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess the adherence to treatment after kidney transplant, as well as to compare the amount of information about the treatment received at one month and 18 months post-transplantation, and its influence on adherence to treatment.

Material and methods: The Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence was administered at month (T1), 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), 18 months (T4), and 24 months (T5) post-transplantation. Survey about aspects of knowledge and attitudes about medication, was administered at one month and 18 months post-transplant. Measures of central tendency and non-parametric tests were used to compare the data.

Results: The study included a total of 73 patients with a median age of 57 years. The percentage of patients non-adherent to medication was 9.6% (T1), 22.5% (T2), 29.2% (T3), 29.8% (T4), and 28.1% (T5). One month after transplantation "not consulting with the doctor on forgetting to take medication (P=.034) significantly influenced the non-adherence to treatment. At 18 months post- transplantation, none of the issues raised on medication knowledge had an influence on non-adherence to treatment.

Conclusions: Longer times since transplantation increased the non-adherence to treatment. Some issues regarding the information of treatment influenced the non-adherence in the immediate transplant period, but not in the follow-up.

Keywords: Adherence to treatment; Adherencia al tratamiento; Información recibida sobre el tratamiento; Information received about treatment; Renal transplantation; Trasplante renal.