Social support and immunosuppressant therapy adherence among adult renal transplant recipients

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between social support and immunosuppressant therapy adherence among adult renal transplant recipients. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey design was employed. Mailed questionnaires were used to collect data from 81 recipients, and included the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale(C) (ITAS(C)) and Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS-5). The correlation between ITAS(C) and MSSS-5 summary scores was assessed using the correlation coefficient (r). Analyses of the following relationships were conducted using correlation coefficients: (i) ITAS(C) summary score and individual items of the MSSS-5; and (ii) MSSS-5 summary score and individual items of the ITAS(C). A hierarchical regression was conducted. Results: The response rate was 74%. The relationship between social support and adherence was significant (r = 0.214, p < 0.05). Two MSSS-5 items (affectionate support and instrumental support pertaining to household functions) were related to ITAS(C) summary score (p < 0.05), and one ITAS(C) item (forgetfulness) was related to the MSSS-5 summary score (p < 0.05). The regression model (all MSSS-5 items) accounted for 24% of the variation in ITAS(C) summary scores. Conclusions: The findings suggest that strategies utilizing social support to address forgetfulness as well as strategies to improve affectionate support and instrumental support related to daily household functions may be useful adherence intervention tools.