Association between polypharmacy, medication adherence, and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease: a preliminary study in the Brazilian Amazon

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that requires complex pharmacological management, with polypharmacy being highly prevalent and potentially compromising treatment adherence and quality of life. This cross-sectional study included 52 patients with CKD treated at a regional hospital in northern Brazil. Its objective was to examine the association between polypharmacy, treatment adherence, and quality of life. Adherence was assessed using the Morisky-Green Test, while quality of life was measured with the abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Results demonstrated that 65% of patients presented moderate adherence, while 35% exhibited low adherence, which was significantly associated with lower quality-of-life scores, particularly in the physical and psychological domains. Female sex, higher educational level, and recent diagnosis (1–3 years) were predictors of better adherence. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and logistic regression, with a 5% significance level and adjustments for sociodemographic variables. These findings reinforce the negative impact of low adherence to pharmacotherapy on the quality of life of patients with CKD and highlight the importance of targeted interventions, including individualized pharmacotherapy review, health education programs, and psychosocial support, to improve adherence and promote patient well-being.