Determinants of Drug Therapy Problems among Renal Transplant Recipients in a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Data on the determinants of drug therapy problems among renal transplant recipients is scarce in resource-constrained settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 conveniently sampled renal transplant recipients at the Renal Clinic in Kenyatta National Hospital to evaluate the determinants of drug therapy problems. Drug therapy problems were identified and classified according to the internationally established guidelines. Drug therapy problems were prevalent among the patients (77.6%). The most common drug therapy problems were adverse drug reactions (60.5%), non adherence (26.3%) and additional drug therapy needed (18.4%). Drug therapy problems were significantly associated with participants age ≥ 60 years (p=0.035), polypharmacy ≥ 9 medications (p=0.015), ≥ 3 comorbidities (p=0.011) and body mass index ≤ 18.5 (p=0.050). Results suggest that elderly patients who were underweight, with comorbidities and multiple medications require to be intensely monitored for drug therapy problems. Further longitudinal research is needed to mitigate drug therapy problems among renal transplant recipients.