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.