Non-adherence to post-transplant care: prevalence, risk factors and outcomes in adolescent liver transplant recipients

Pediatr Transplant. 2008 Mar;12(2):194-200. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2007.00809.x.

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence, demographic variables and adverse outcomes associated with non-adherence to post-transplant care in adolescent liver transplant recipients. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 111 adolescent patients (age 12-21 yr) greater than six months post-transplantation and defined non-adherence as not taking the immunosuppressive(s) or not attending any clinic visit in 2005. Fifty subjects (45.0%) were non-adherent and 61 (55.0%) were adherent. Twenty percent of the subjects did not attend clinic and 10.9% did not complete laboratory tests. Non-adherence was significantly associated with fewer completed laboratory tests (p < 0.0001), single parent status (p < 0.0186), and older age and greater years post-transplantation by both univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.008, p < 0.0141 and p < 0.0012, p < 0.0174, respectively). Non-adherence to medication was significantly associated with a rejection episode in 31 patients (p < 0.0069) but not in the subgroup of seven patients who stopped their immunosuppression completely. Non-adherence to post-transplant care is a prevalent problem in adolescents particularly of an older age and greater years post-transplantation. Rejection was a significant consequence of medication non-adherence except in a subgroup with presumed graft tolerance who discontinued their immunosuppression. These results emphasize the need for strict monitoring of adherence to post-transplant care to improve long-term survival and quality of life in adolescent transplant patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Treatment Refusal / statistics & numerical data*