Health Literacy and Medication Management in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive decline of kidney function, which may eventually lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant for survival (Kidney disease improving global outcomes [KDIGO] 2012 clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease). Among patients older than age 65 years, CKD care accounts for 20% of all Medicare spending or $50.4 billion in 2013 (United States renal data system [USRDS] 2016 annual data report). Adjusted mortality rates are also higher for Medicare patients with CKD than those without CKD (USRDS, 2016). Over one-half of patients with CKD have significant comorbid conditions (USRDS, 2016). Awareness of CKD and its consequences is poor, even in patients with a diagnosis of CKD. Less than 10% of survey participants with stage 1–3 CKD between 2001 and 2012 were aware that they had the disease (USRDS, 2016). When compared to hypertension or diabetes, awareness of CKD is much lower. Awareness among patients with hypertension and diabetes has been reported to be greater than 90% (Tuot et al., 2016).

Keywords

• chronic kidney disease
• medication management
• health literacy
• kidney failure
• medication adherence