Factors influencing adherence among Irish haemodialysis patients

Adherence to dietary and fluid restrictions among haemodialysis patients with end stage renal failure (ESRD) is a multi-factorial concept. This study seeks to assess the predictive value of demographic and psychological variables in non-adherence.

A multi-centre cross sectional design assessed 50 haemodialysis patients on self reported adherence, attitudes towards dietary restrictions, quality of life, depression and anxiety. Adherence to fluid and dietary restrictions was measured objectively using potassium (K), phosphorus (PO4) and inter-dialytic weight gain (IDWG) parameters.

62% of patients were non-adherent with at least one aspect of the treatment regime. Regression analysis revealed age as significantly associated with adherence, in particular IDWG, with younger patients displaying poorer adherence.

Younger patients may experience greater difficulty integrating complex treatment demands into their lifestyles, and non-adherence may be a consequence of the severe lifestyle limitations imposed by the haemodialysis treatment regime.

Individualised interventions may be more effective than traditional methods of adherence monitoring in reducing the non-adherent behaviour.