Call for Participation in Research

BRIGHT Study—Building Research Initiative Group: adHerence in Transplantation

ITNS is in the early phase of an International Multi-Center Adherence Study in collaboration with the Leuven-Basel Compliance Research Group under the leadership of Sabina De Geest, PhD, RN, FAAN.

This study aims to address an important gap in the literature: gaining a better understanding of health care system and health care team related factors associated with non-adherence to the immunosuppressive regimen. Preliminary evidence shows that non-adherence rates differ among transplant centers (Weng et al., 2005), continents and countries (Denhaerynck et al., in press). We therefore plan to compare patients’ non-adherence levels between transplant centers, countries and continents and explore possible factors and dynamics explaining potential adherence differences. A number of variables will be measured (i.e. adherence to immunosuppressive regimen, financial burden of drug regimen, level of chronic illness management experienced, socio-economic and clinical variables), primarily with self-report instruments. 30 patients per transplant center will be included.

If you and your transplant colleagues are interested in joining this exciting study, please contact Sabina De Geest, PhD, RN FAAN at email: sabina.degeest@unibas.ch

References

Denhaerynck K, Desmyttere A, Dobbels F, Moons P, Young J, Siegal B, Greenstein S, Steiger J, Vanrenterghem Y, Squifflet JP, van Hooff JP, De Geest S.  Prevalence of noncompliance with the immnosuppressive regimen in North American and European renal transplant recipients. Progress in Transplantation, in press.

Weng FL, Israni AK, Joffe MM, Hoy T, Gaughan CA, Newman M, et al. Race and electronically measured adherence to immunosuppressive medications after deceased donor renal transplantation. J Am Soc Nephrol 2005;16:1839-48.