Non-compliance after solid organ transplantation: the experience of Padua University Hospital

The effectiveness of any treatment depends not only on the right choice of therapy, but also to a large extent on the patient's active cooperation. Adherence to medical prescriptions and immunosuppressive therapy is crucial in transplanted patients, to prevent medical complications that negatively influence graft function and patient survival. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to medical regimen and adequate lifestyle among solid organ transplant recipients. Patients who underwent solid organ transplantation at Padua University Hospital (2008-09) were included in the study. All participants filled in a questionnaire to assess non-compliance. 218 organ transplanted patients were enrolled: 152 men and 66 women, mean age 54 years and mean time from transplantation 84.5 months. Non-adherence to immunosuppressive therapy was reported by 38% of patients and non-adherence to adequate lifestyle was referred by 38.5% of patients. Considering non-adherence to immunosuppressive therapy and to general prescriptions the percentage of kidney transplanted patients who referred non-adherence was significantly lower compared to other organ transplanted patients. Considering non-adherence to an adequate lifestyle, the percentage of liver transplanted patients who referred non-adherence was significantly higher compared to other organ transplanted patients. Poor adherence to medical prescriptions and to adequate lifestyle was very common among organ transplanted patients.