Study of non-compliance among chronic hemodialysis patients and its impact on patients’ outcomes

Abstract EN

Non-adherence to prescription is common among hemodialysis (HD) patients and has been associated with significant morbidity.

At least 50 % of HD patients are believed to be non-adherent to some part of their treatment.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of non-adherence to dialysis prescription among 100 chronic HD patients.

We explored the relationship between non-adherence on one hand and socioeconomic profile, depression scores and cognitive function on the other hand.

The impact of patients’ non-adherence on nutritional status, quality of life and dialysis adequacy was also assessed.

The mean age of the study group was 50.51 ± 12.0 years.

There were 62 females and 38 males in the study.

Thirty-six patients (36 %) were non-compliant to their dialysis prescription.

No significant differences were detected between compliant and non-compliant patients in their education level and employment status.

Inter-dialytic weight gain, serum phosphorus and depression scores were significantly higher in non-compliant patients compared with compliant patients, whereas body weight, serum albumin, serum calcium, quality of life scores and nutrition scores were significantly higher in compliant patients (P < 0.05).

In conclusion, non-adherence is highly prevalent among chronic HD patients and is associated with poor quality of life, depression and malnutrition.