ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Barriers to Medication Adherence in an Urban Transplant Population

A. Reticker, B. Valdepenas, L. Glauner, O. Piatek, S. Kerns, P. West-Thielke

University of Illinois, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B-245

Keywords: Adverse effects, Immunosuppression, Quality of life, Risk factors

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session B: Psychosocial and Treatment Adherence

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020

Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm

 Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Non-adherence is a strong predictor of post-transplant outcome. Barriers to medication adherence (MA) include the cost and complexity of a medication regimen, education level, and social support. Recent literature suggests that patient perception of disease, benefit, and adverse experiences can also contribute to MA. This study aims to describe the correlation between adverse events (AEs) of immunosuppressants and medication nonadherence (MNA) post-transplant.

*Methods: A cross-sectional survey that assessed frequency and severity of medication AEs and MA was administered to adult solid organ transplant recipients. At the time of consent, the patients could agree to participate in a longitudinal survey.The primary outcome was the frequency and severity of medication AEs in transplant recipients and if these change over time. Secondary outcomes include: frequency and severity of MNA and the incidence of acute rejection, graft loss, and death.

*Results: Results are preliminary as research is ongoing. 75 patients were analyzed. Minorities were well represented in this study (Table 1). The majority of this cohort (83.3%) reported they faced unexpected post-transplant events; most commonly the number of medications prescribed (43.1%) and AEs of these medications (43.1%). 41.7% of patients report experiencing barriers to MA. Patients also report barriers to care primarily due to access (difficulty with travel time due to distance (33.3%) or traffic (24%)). Patients self-report good MA, a strong knowledge regarding their treatment plan, and confidence in being able to adhere to their medication regimen. The most commonly reported AEs were difficulty participating in physical activity (57.3%), weight gain (56%), diarrhea (52.7%), pain (47.3%), mood changes (38.7%) and nausea/vomiting (36.5%). Further analysis will include correlations of AEs, MNA, graft and patient survival and how these change over time.

*Conclusions: MNA contributes significantly to graft failure. Understanding the barriers to MNA is instrumental in reducing its occurrence. The results of this study will further the knowledge regarding MNA and help to develop methods to improve MA.

 border=

 border=

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Reticker A, Valdepenas B, Glauner L, Piatek O, Kerns S, West-Thielke P. Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Barriers to Medication Adherence in an Urban Transplant Population [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/cross-sectional-survey-to-assess-barriers-to-medication-adherence-in-an-urban-transplant-population/. Accessed May 16, 2025.

« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences