Impact of Education, Age and Work Reinsertion in the Compliance to Treatment after Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Background: Liver transplantation improves quality of life and promotes social and work reinsertion. This process requires a high degree of compliance to treatment, define as the methodical and responsible adhesion to any medical indication or prescription. Variables associated to compliance can be attributed to the patient, the primary disease that lead to liver transplant, the type of medication and the health team, among others. Aims: To evaluate the compliance to immunosupression therapy in adult liver transplant patient and its association to the level of education, age and employment rate Patients and methods: During 2011, 60 surveys were conducted in 60 adult (> 18 yrs) liver transplant patients (pac) with more than 1 yr of follow up. Moresky- Green test was used to assess compliance to treatment. Additionaly a closed survey was used to assess work insertion and educational level. Level of education was classified according to the years of education completed (level 0: < 7 yrs, level 1: 7-12 yrs, level 2:> 12yrs. Pac were also classified according their age in groups: A< 41yrs, B 41 to 60yrs, and C> 60 yrs. Results: Mean age of the pac was 54±15 yrs and mean follow up after liver transplantation was 6±4 yrs. 75% were males and 68% had a job at the time the interview was carried out. 48% (29) were on level 1 of education. Compliance to immunosupression treatment was 63% (38/60), and was statistically more significant in males (p= .0001), employed pac (p= .0001) with level 1 of education (p=.002) and with age under 41 yrs.Conclusions: More than 50% of the pac showed compliance to immunosupression therapy The male gender, to have an employ after liver transplant and to be at an education level between 7 to 12 yrs, were significantly associated with greater compliance. Early identification of difficulties and most vulnerable groups could generate actions to reduce the negative effects of this situation