A Questionnaire Survey of Prescription Preferences and Leftover Medication Conversations: Comparisons Among Kidney Disease Patients and Healthcare Professionals

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis (HD) receive various types of medications. However, little is known about the differences in medication preference and how to deal with leftover medication among CKD patients and HD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in medication preference and ways of dealing with leftover medication between CKD patients, HD patients, physicians, and pharmacists via a questionnaire survey. Methods: The ethics committee of Oita University, Oita, Japan, approved this survey. Outpatients undergoing treatment by a nephrologist in four facilities in Oita prefecture, Japan, were asked to answer a questionnaire on their preference for medication and how to deal with leftover medication. Respondents gave their informed written consent. The same questionnaire was administered to nephrologists and pharmacists online. Results: In this survey, 383 patients (260 patients with CKD and 123 patients with HD), 22 nephrologists, and 28 pharmacists responded. The response rate of valid responses was more than 90% for each of the groups. In particular, 41% of patients with CKD and 56% of patients with HD never inform their doctor about leftover medication or only inform them when there is a lot of leftover medication. On the other hand, 23% of physicians have never asked their patients about them. Ordinary logistic regression analysis indicated that there is no significant relationship between how often patients talk about leftover medication, patients’ preferences, or patient states. Conclusions: Despite the age and state of the patients, it is important to discuss the perception of medication with each other and confirm the condition of the remaining medication to improve concordance and obtain the desired treatment effect.