Noncompliance with Medical Regimen in Haemodialysis Treatment: A Case Study

Paraskevi Theofilou

doi:10.1155/2011/476038

Abstract

Patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment have a high burden of disease (particularly cardiovascular comorbidities) affecting their quality of life and dramatically shortening life expectancy. Effective chronic kidney disease (CKD) control requires regular preventive medication and a response to that medication. Poor receptiveness to CKD medication can be related to individual variability in the dose needed to achieve a response, as well as to low-adherent behaviour in relation to the CKD medication regimen. Some patients, though not many, according to studies' findings, abuse the medical regimen as a result of suicidal tendencies. The present case gave us the opportunity to consider the causes and clinical findings and review the specific psychological interventions for patients with CKD.

Highlights

In many areas of medicine, the patient’s well-being and health greatly depend on the active participation in a treatment program and the compliance with the medical recommendations, for example, taking medicines, adhering to a diet or undergoing surgery
The chronic haemodialysis (HD) setup is ideal for studying the problems of noncompliance and abuse of medical regimen
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face many challenges which increase the likelihood that they will develop depression or anxiety or worsen these conditions. These include a general feeling of unwellness; specific symptoms caused by CKD or the patient’s treatment; major disruptions in lifestyle; the need to comply with treatment regimens, like dialysis schedules, diet prescription, and water restriction; ancillary treatments and hospitalizations; the fear of disability, morbidity, and shortened lifespan [25, 26]

Summary

Paraskevi Theofilou

Patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment have a high burden of disease ( cardiovascular comorbidities) affecting their quality of life and dramatically shortening life expectancy. Effective chronic kidney disease (CKD) control requires regular preventive medication and a response to that medication. Poor receptiveness to CKD medication can be related to individual variability in the dose needed to achieve a response, as well as to low-adherent behaviour in relation to the CKD medication regimen. Though not many, according to studies’ findings, abuse the medical regimen as a result of suicidal tendencies.

Introduction

Discussion