Care processes and structures associated with higher medication adherence in adolescent and young adult transplant recipients.

Background: We aimed to identify care processes and structures that were independently associated with higher medication adherence among young transplant recipients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of 270 prevalent kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients 14-25 years old. Patients were ≥3 months post-transplant, ≥2 months post-discharge, and followed in one of 14 pediatric or 14 adult transplant programs in Canada. Patients were enrolled between June 2015 and March 2018 and followed for 6 months. Adherence was assessed at baseline, 3, and 6 months using the BAASIS self-report tool. Patients were classified as adherent if no doses were missed in the prior 4 weeks. Transplant program directors and nurses completed questionnaires regarding care organization and processes.

Results: Of the 270 participants, 99 were followed in pediatric programs and 171 in adult programs. Median age was 20.3 years, and median time since transplant was 5 years. At baseline, 71.5% were adherent. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models with program as a random effect identified two program-level factors as independently associated with better adherence: minimum number of prescribed blood draws per year for those >3 years post-transplant (per 1 additional) (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.00, 1.26]; p = .047), and average time nurses spend with patients in clinic (per 5 additional minutes) (OR 1.15 [1.03, 1.29]; p = .017).

Conclusion: Program-level factors including protocols with a greater frequency of routine blood testing and more nurse time with patients were associated with better medication adherence. This suggests that interventions at the program level may support better adherence.