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Medication knowledge and compliance among patients receiving long-term dialysis
D J Cleary1, G R Matzke, A C Alexander
1School of Pharmacy, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Summary
Patients on long-term dialysis often struggle with medication knowledge and adherence, particularly for phosphate binders. Improving patient education on dialysis drug therapy is crucial for better health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
- Patient Adherence
Background:
- Long-term dialysis patients manage complex medication regimens.
- Understanding drug therapy is vital for effective treatment in chronic kidney disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess medication knowledge and compliance in hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.
- To identify challenges in understanding and adhering to antihypertensives, phosphate binders, and calcitriol.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 72 long-term dialysis patients (51 hemodialysis, 21 CAPD).
- Assessed recall of medications, indications, and missed doses.
- Investigated medication sources and primary drug information providers.
Main Results:
- 80% recalled target medications, but recall of all medications varied (39% hemodialysis, 57% CAPD).
- Phosphate binders showed lower knowledge and higher missed doses compared to antihypertensives and calcitriol.
- Pharmacists were underutilized as a primary drug information source despite community pharmacy dispensing.
Conclusions:
- Dialysis patients demonstrate variable medication knowledge and adherence, with phosphate binders being a key area of concern.
- Enhanced patient education strategies are needed, particularly focusing on phosphate binder therapy.
- Opportunities exist to improve pharmacist involvement in patient drug information delivery.