Renal transplant recipient response to a cyclosporine use survey at two Canadian transplant centres

Kidney transplantation has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. To gain a better understanding of kidney transplant patients' demographics and perspectives about their drug therapy, 361 kidney transplant recipients from two regional transplant centres completed a self-report questionnaire. The patients who responded (73%) were 60% male, 46 ± 13 years, 71% had received their kidney from a cadaveric source and 61% were greater than three years post transplant. Further demographics identified included country of origin, language of preference, level of education, number of rejections, and self-perception of health. The median dose of cyclosporine was 2.9 mg/kg/day (mean = 3.5 ± 3.9 mg/kg/day) with the majority of patients receiving the capsule formulation. The mean number of prescription medications taken by recipients was 4.5 ± 2.1 (excluding cyclosporine) with cadaveric transplant patients receiving significantly more medications than live donor recipients (p < 0.01). Females reported significantly more side effects (1.9 ± 1.7) than males (1.5 ± 1.3)(p = 0.01). Overall, 24% of patients reported one side effect associated with cyclosporine, 23% two, 9% three, and 9% four or more. Eighty-three percent of patients felt that they received an adequate amount of information and instruction about their medications while in hospital and 76% felt they received an adequate amount in follow-up clinic. Patients requested more information about side effects, drug interactions, general up-to-date drug information and assistance with scheduling difficulties. This study provides pharmacists with information regarding patient demographics and perspectives on their drug therapy which will assist them with providing pharmaceutical care to kidney transplant patients.