Farmacoterapia en la Enfermedad Renal. Adherencia terapéutica

Abstract

While the treatment of people with kidney disease needs the essential support of drugs, there is no doubt that their effectiveness will depend on the patient, with the support of his or her family if necessary, following the recommendations of his or her prescriber. Although the term "adherence" has traditionally been used to indicate that the medication is appropriate, both this term and the term non-compliance have been questioned, as it has been attributed exclusively to the patient's failure to follow medical instructions¹. Currently, the term "adherence to treatment" is preferred, as defined by the World Health Organization as: "The degree to which a person's behaviour corresponds to the instructions agreed with a health prescriber in terms of taking medication, following the recommended diet and making lifestyle changes"².