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Nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients: can technology help?

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Abstract

End-stage kidney disease is a life-threatening condition that compels patients to accept either dialysis or transplant. Kidney transplantation is the best choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease because it ensures higher quality of life and longer survival rates than other choices, with less cost for the healthcare system. However, in order for renal recipients to maintain the functioning graft they must take lifelong immunosuppressive medications, with possible side effects and low medication adherence. It is known that low medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients may cause poor outcomes, chronic graft rejection, and graft failure. In this review, the authors give an overview of nonadherence in the transplant setting. In addition, they analyze the role of different technologies as an aid to improve adherence, with a focus on mobile-phone based solutions to monitor and enhance kidney transplant recipient compliance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FBCommunication, Modena, Italy

    Erika Nerini & Fulvio Bruno

  2. Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy

    Franco Citterio

  3. Regional Centre of Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy

    Francesco P. Schena

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  1. Erika Nerini
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  2. Fulvio Bruno
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  4. Francesco P. Schena
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Correspondence to Francesco P. Schena.

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Erika Nerini and Fulvio Bruno are employees of FBCommunication. FP Schena has nothing to disclose. F Citterio has nothing to disclose.

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Nerini, E., Bruno, F., Citterio, F. et al. Nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients: can technology help?. J Nephrol 29, 627–636 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-016-0273-x

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