Background: A relationship exists between non-adherence and
clinical outcomes in health care, including renal transplantation. The aim of
this study was to identify the psychological variables associated with nonadherence
to medication after renal transplantation.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 34 patients, 38% male, with a
mean age of 49 yr (range 26\u201370) and a mean of six yr post-transplantation.
Adherence to medication was measured by two items: (i) the frequency of
not taking medications and (ii) the frequency of not taking medications
exactly as prescribed. The psychological variables were: dispositional coping
style (COPE) and five items measuring barriers and perceived characteristics
of the medication regimen. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were
utilized to examine the data.
Results: Twenty-four per cent of patients reported less than perfect adherence.
Individuals who were younger, who perceived less autonomy in the
management of treatment and who were characterized by an active coping
style were less likely to adhere to medication. Individuals who perceived less
autonomy and a higher level of interference of treatment with their life
patterns were less likely to take medication exactly as prescribed.
Conclusions: The finding of this study suggests that adherence to medications
after renal transplant is associated with psychological variables, such
as coping style and perceived autonomy in the management of treatment.
Understanding of the patients perspective may help to develop effective
interventions to increase the levels of adherence to medications that may
result in better clinical outcomes
