Awareness among Patients Regarding Drug Dose Adjustment in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: Inappropriate medication dosing in patients with chronic kidney disease can cause toxicity or ineffective therapy. Patients are at a high risk of developing related adverse events caused by the altered effect of drugs in conjunction with the use of polypharmacy to treat comorbid conditions. Aim: The aim of this work was to highlight the awareness among patients and doctors regarding dose adjustment in chronic kidney disease. Methods: This is cross-sectional study was carried out in Benha University hospitals in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, and Neuropsychiatry Departments on different doctors and patients in the wards using questionnaire. The questionnaire included the following items: Demographic data, Occupational history, Education history, and Personal/family history of kidney disease. Results: Regarding questions asked to patients, 55% knew that patients with CKD need dose adjustment, 14% knew drugs need to be adjusted and 9% knew percentage of drugs need to be adjusted. Conclusions: Regarding questions asked to doctors, 97% knew that patients with CKD need dose adjustment, 91% knew drugs need to be adjusted, 84% knew Percentage of drugs adjusted and 66% knew level of GFR a given medication needs to be adjusted. Patients across all levels of training demonstrated poor awareness and knowledge of individualizing therapy based on patient"s renal function. Poor knowledge of renal dosing rules and lack of medication information have been identified as major causes of prescribing errors.