Parichay Patient Support Program: Useful Tool for Improving Compliance in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Abstract

IntroductionMedication non-adherence (MNA) in organ transplant recipients is associated with increased risk of rejection, allograft loss, patients’ death and higher healthcare costs. Various approaches have been used to reduce MNA. A patient support program (PSP) can be an invaluable tool in improving patient outcomes. Hence, the aim was to analyze available data of PSP for kidney transplant recipients. Material and MethodsA total of 3352 patients were prospectively enrolled in Parichay PSP between Jan 2021 - April 2023 from all over the country. Baseline demographic details were recorded. A monthly call was made thereafter. Data was analyzed for demographic details, compliance rate, drop-outs and tacrolimus levels (whenever available). This study was supported by Biocon Biologics. ResultsParichay program had enrolled a total of 1371, 1620 and 361 kidney transplant patients in years 2021, 2022 and 2023 (Jan-April) respectively from different parts of India (N-25%, E-35%, S-26%, W-14%). Patients who had received Tacrolimus (Tacrograf®) (n=2626) revealed that 2158 (82%) patients were male with the mean age of 42 years. Majority (61%) of patients were in age group of 28-48 years. Patient compliance rate of >90% was maintained for over 13 months (n = 1920, April 2022 - April 2023). Of the 3352 patients, 250 (7.4%) dropped out of the study. Thus, use of PSP ensured a compliance of 92.6% in our study. ConclusionsThis analysis demonstrates that participation in the PSP can be a useful tool to monitor compliance and tacrolimus therapeutic drug monitoring in kidney transplant recipients.