An International Study of Patient Compliance With Hemodialysis

Authors:
  • BHBritta Hylander
    Britta Hylander
  • HSHiroshi Sudo
    Hiroshi Sudo
  • YNYasuo Nomoto
    Yasuo Nomoto
  • ETErnesto de la Torre
    Ernesto de la Torre
  • RCRandolph A. Chen
    Randolph A. Chen
  • JBJohn M. Burkart
    John M. Burkart
Open Access
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Abstract
For the physician, compliance is measured by how well a patient adheres to a prescribed medical regimen, including compliance with appointments, medications, and diet. International differences in patient compliance have not been well characterized but could greatly alter the efficacy of various therapies and potentially explain differences in patient outcomes between countries.1,2 Differences in compliance could be partly responsible for inferior gross survival of patients undergoing dialysis in the United States compared with that of other developed nations.3 For this reason, an international comparison of patient compliance with hemodialysis regimens was undertaken.