Abstract
Purpose: The elderly are often faced with multiple diseases, in particular hemodialysis (HD) which requires many kinds of medication. This study examined the factors influencing the behavior of taking medicine in elderly patients undergoing HD. Subjects and Methods: The subjects comprised 70 outpatients > 65 years undergoing HD (48 male and 22 female). The mean age of the patients was 72.5 ± 4.4 years. The mean duration of dialysis history was 6.1 ± 5.2 years. We performed a questionnaire survey using Medication Assessment Tool, The Kidney Disease Quality of Life (QOL)-Short Form and Acceptance for Dialysis Instrument. Result: Two factors related to poor behavior of taking medicine: dialysis history < 2 years and poor acceptance of dialysis. The multiple regression analysis showed patient satisfaction (β = –0.329, p < 0.01) and symptoms/problems (β = –0.273, p<0.05) as significant independent variables relating to behavior of taking medicine. Conclusion: Poor behavior of taking medicine is related to a short dialysis period, poor acceptance and poor satisfaction of dialysis therapy in elderly patients.
Highlights
The number of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) for chronic kidney disease is increasing every year
This study examined the factors influencing the behavior of taking medicine in elderly patients undergoing HD
Result: Two factors related to poor behavior of taking medicine: dialysis history
Summary
The number of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) for chronic kidney disease is increasing every year. The mortality rate of HD patients is increasing. In Japan, the total number of dialysis patients was 297,126 and the number of patients newly inducted to HD was 37,532 in 2010. The first position of the new dialysis patient was diabetic nephropathy. Elderly patients newly inducted to HD are increasing (mean age: 67.8 ± 13.3); the ratio of the patients older than 65 years was 63.5% and older than 75 years was 34.9% [1]. The processes of excretion of waste material, adjustment of water and electrolyte balance, hormonal resolution and excretion and activation of vitamin D work poorly in HD patients, requiring elderly HD patients to take many kinds of medicine. Graveley et al have reported that the incidences of side effects and interactions of medicines occur 2 - 3 times more often in elderly people than in young people [2]
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