Survey of Adherence to Immunosuppression and Other Medications in Kidney Transplant Patients

Survey Investigation of Adherence to Immunosuppression and Other Medications Among Kidney Transplant Recipients at SUNY Downstate

Goal:

To define the causes and issues associated with nonadherence in our population

Hypothesis:

There is a difference in the rates and patterns of adherence to transplant medications versus other medications also taken by transplant patients

Methods:

1. A standardized interviewer-administered confidential survey exploring levels of adherence to transplant medications and other medications as well questionnaires on a variety of cognitive and other factors known to be associated with adherence.
2. A brief review of demographics and pertinent laboratory information at the same encounter

Objectives:

1. To determine the prevalence of nonadherence in our population
2. To assess possible causes of nonadherence and correlate those causes with demographic information and clinical findings
3. To assess for differences between adherence with immunosuppressive regime versus adherence with other medications (for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia)

Methods:

1. A standardized interviewer-administered confidential survey exploring levels of adherence to transplant medications and other medications as well questionnaires on a variety of cognitive and other factors known to be associated with adherence
2. A brief review of demographics and pertinent laboratory information at the same encounter

Inclusion Criteria:

• All renal transplant recipients with a working transplant who are currently attending the transplant clinic and who have been transplanted 6 months to 4.5 years ago are eligible. Patients are recruited at random from the transplant clinic waiting area

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 6 months post-transplant
• More than 4.5 years post transplant