Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease presents itself as a public health problem because of its prevalence, the costs involved in treatment and the high rate of morbidity and mortality.
Objective
To evaluate non-adherence to the therapeutic regimen of hemodialysis patients and associated factors.
Method
A cross-sectional study with patients undergoing hemodialysis at a University Hospital and two private clinics agreed to the Unified Health System. Standards for non-adherence to the hemodialysis regimen were based on indicators established by The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study: water restrictions, dietary, drug regimen, and hemodialysis therapy. Non-compliance in at least one aspect of treatment was considered non-adherence to therapy.
Results
Individuals younger than 60 years were more likely to be non-adherent to water restriction, dietary and drug regimens, and therapy. Anuric patients were more likely to be non-adherent to water restriction and therapy. Individuals with hypoalbuminemia and hypohemoglobinemia were more likely not to adhere to water restriction, while patients who self-declared themselves to be non-whites had a higher chance of not adhering to therapy. No explanatory variables of adherence to hemodialysis therapy remained significant in the final logistic regression model.
Conclusion
Non-conformity related to treatment aspects can result in increased hospitalization and health expenses, worsening of clinical status, greater intercurrences in treatment and increase in mortality rate.
Keywords:
renal dialysis; patient compliance; health literacy