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The international prevalence and variability of nonadherence to the nonpharmacologic treatment regimen after heart transplantation: Findings from the cross‐sectional BRIGHT study
Author(s) -
Helmy Remon,
Duerinckx Nathalie,
De Geest Sabina,
Denhaerynck Kris,
Berben Lut,
Russell Cynthia L.,
Van Cleemput Johan,
CrespoLeiro Maria G.,
Dobbels Fabienne
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.13280
Subject(s) - medicine , regimen , cross sectional study , heart transplantation , alcohol consumption , physical activity , transplantation , physical therapy , demography , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , pathology , sociology
Heart transplant ( HT x) recipients need to follow a complex therapeutic regimen. We assessed the international prevalence and variability in nonadherence to six nonpharmacologic treatment components (physical activity, sun protection, diet, alcohol use, nonsmoking, and outpatient follow‐up visits). Methods We used self‐report data of 1397 adult HT x recipients from the 36‐ HT x‐center, 11‐country, 4‐continent, cross‐sectional BRIGHT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID : NCT 01608477). The nonadherence definitions used were as follows: Physical activity: <3 times/wk 20 minutes’ vigorous activity, <5 times/wk 30 minutes’ moderate activity, or <5 times/wk a combination of either intensity; Sun protection: not “always” applying any sun protection; Diet: not “often” or “always” following recommended diet(s); Alcohol use: >1 alcoholic drink/d (women) or >2 drinks/d (men); Smoking: current smokers or stopped <1 year before; Follow‐up visits: missing ≥1 of the last 5 outpatient follow‐up visits. Overall prevalence figures were adjusted to avoid over‐ or underrepresentation of countries. Between‐country variability was assessed within each treatment component via chi‐square testing. Results The adjusted study‐wide nonadherence prevalence figures were as follows: 47.8% for physical activity (95% CI [45.2‐50.5]), 39.9% for sun protection (95% CI [37.3‐42.5]), 38.2% for diet recommendations (95% CI [35.1‐41.3]), 22.9% for alcohol consumption (95% CI [20.8‐25.1]), 7.4% for smoking cessation (95% CI [6.1‐8.7]), and 5.7% for follow‐up visits (95% CI [4.6‐6.9]). Significant variability was observed between countries in all treatment components except follow‐up visits. Conclusion Nonadherence to the post‐ HT x nonpharmacologic treatment regimen is prevalent and shows significant variability internationally, suggesting a need for tailored adherence‐enhancing interventions.