Daytime sleepiness in renal transplant recipients is associated with immunosuppressive non-adherence: a cross-sectional, multi-center study

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of immunosuppressive non-adherence (NA) in renal transplant patients and describe whether the degree of daytime sleepiness (DS) and depressive symptomatology are associated with immunosuppressive NA. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, 926 home-dwelling renal transplant recipients who were transplanted at one of three Swiss transplant centers provided data by self-report. The Basel Assessment of Adherence Scale for immunosuppressive was used to measure the following: taking, timing, and overall NA to immunosuppressive medication. DS was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (cut-off 6 for DS) and the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study DS item (cut-off 4 for DS), and depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (cut-off>10). An ordinal logistical regression model was applied for statistical analysis. ResultsThe prevalence of the ESS-DS was 51%. NA for taking, timing, and the median overall NA level assessed by 0-100% visual analog scale (VAS) was 16%, 42%, and 0%, respectively. Based on the multivariate analysis, DS was significantly associated (p<0.001) with taking (1.08 [1.04-1.13]), timing (1.07 [1.03-1.10]), and overall NA (1.09 [1.05-1.13]). Very similar results were found for the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study DS item. ConclusionDS is associated with immunosuppressive medication NA in renal transplant recipients. Admittedly, the association's strength is limited.