Immunosuppressive therapy after solid-organ transplantation: does the INTERMED identify patients at risk of poor adherence?

Prevalence and Patient-Level Correlates of Intentional Non-Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication After Heart-Transplantation-Findings From the International BRIGHT Study

After heart transplantation (HTx), non-adherence to immunosuppressants (IS) is associated with poor outcomes; however, intentional non-adherence (INA) is poorly understood regarding its international variability in prevalence, contributing factors and impact on outcomes. We investigated (1) the prevalence and international variability of INA, (2) patient-level correlates of INA, and (3) relation of INA with clinical outcomes. Secondary analysis of data from the BRIGHT study-an international multi-center, cross-sectional survey examining multi-level factors of adherence in 1,397 adult HTx recipients. INA during the implementation phase, i.e., drug holiday and dose alteration, was measured using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale© (BAASIS©). Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed with data retrieved through patient interview, patient self-report and in clinical records. INA prevalence was 3.3% (n = 46/1,397)-drug holidays: 1.7% (n = 24); dose alteration: 1.4% (n = 20); both: 0.1% (n = 2). University-level education (OR = 2.46, CI = 1.04-5.83), insurance not covering IS costs (OR = 2.21, CI = 1.01-4.87) and barriers (OR = 4.90, CI = 2.73-8.80) were significantly associated with INA; however, clinical outcomes were not. Compared to other single-center studies, this sample's INA prevalence was low. More than accessibility or financial concerns, our analyses identified patient-level barriers as INA drivers. Addressing patients' IS-related barriers, should decrease INA.

Quality of life associated with immunosuppressant treatment adherence in liver transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: Transplanted organ survival after solid organ transplantation highly correlates with the adherence levels of the patients to their immunosuppressive drugs. On the other hand, one of the main goals of liver transplantation is to increase the overall quality of life (QOL) for the patient. This study is aimed to analyze the relationship between adherence and QOL in adult liver transplant recipients of the biggest liver transplant center in Asia. Methods: All of the included patients were older than 18 years and at least 6 months had passed from their liver transplantation. The adherence level was measured with BAASIS method and the QOL was assessed by SF-36 questionnaire in real-time interviews. The relationship between adherence and different aspects of QOL in addition to qualitative and quantitative influential factors on these two outcomes was calculated with statistical analysis. Results: Among the 122 included patients, 41% of the were categorized in the non-adherent group. The most important reasons for non-adherence in these patients included forgetfulness (62%), lack of medication (12%), financial problems for drug supply (9%), and side effects (2%). According to the results of the multivariate linear regression model, rejection was the only influential factor in the occurrence of non-adherence among patients (OR = 8.226 CI (1.404-48.196)). The overall mean QOL score of patients was reported 51.09 ± 21.86. The lowest is given to social functioning, while mental health has achieved the highest score. The mean QOL scores in different dimensions in patients with adherence were higher than non-adherents, which was only significant in mental health (p-value = 0.01). Additionally, in total scores related to Physical Composite Score (PSC) and Mental Composite Score (MCS), the mean MSC scores in adherent patients were significantly higher than non-adherent patients (p-value: 0.02). Although adherent patients have an overall greater QOL, the only meaningful effect on QOL total score was from income level. Conclusion: The overall QoL score has been in all parameters higher in the adherent group compared with non-adherent patients. The difference in QoL was most meaningfully significant in mental composite score among other parameters of QoL.

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation

The 2020 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation is intended to assist health care professionals worldwide who evaluate and manage potential candidates for deceased or living donor kidney transplantation. This guideline addresses general candidacy issues such as access to transplantation, patient demographic and health status factors, and immunological and psychosocial assessment. The roles of various risk factors and comorbid conditions governing an individual's suitability for transplantation such as adherence, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, perioperative issues, causes of kidney failure, infections, malignancy, pulmonary disease, cardiac and peripheral arterial disease, neurologic disease, gastrointestinal and liver disease, hematologic disease, and bone and mineral disorder are also addressed. This guideline provides recommendations for evaluation of individual aspects of a candidate's profile such that each risk factor and comorbidity are considered separately. The goal is to assist the clinical team to assimilate all data relevant to an individual, consider this within their local health context, and make an overall judgment on candidacy for transplantation. The guideline development process followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Guideline recommendations are primarily based on systematic reviews of relevant studies and our assessment of the quality of that evidence, and the strengths of recommendations are provided. Limitations of the evidence are discussed with differences from previous guidelines noted and suggestions for future research are also provided.