Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42907905›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychology2026

Psychological factors associated with medication non-adherence after kidney transplant: a systematic review.

Hui Ling Michelle Neo, Kuhanesan N C Naidu, Isabella Jia Hui Tang, Ho Yee Tiong, Shawn Yong Shian Goh, Cyrus Su Hui Ho

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Hui Ling Michelle NeoYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. michelle_neo@nuhs.edu.sg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2972-2952
Kuhanesan N C NaiduDepartment of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Isabella Jia Hui TangInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Victoria, Australia.
Ho Yee TiongYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Shawn Yong Shian GohHealth and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, Singapore.
Cyrus Su Hui HoYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Medication non-adherence remains a persistent and critical challenge among kidney transplant recipients, who demonstrate higher rates of non-adherence than other solid organ transplant populations. Given the associated risks of graft rejection, graft loss, and mortality, a clearer synthesis of underlying psychological factors is needed. This systematic review synthesized evidence on psychological factors associated with self-reported medication non-adherence among adult kidney transplant recipients, integrating quantitative and qualitative research to capture patients' perspectives. Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, five electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 5 May 2026. Eligible studies included quantitative and qualitative research involving adult recipients. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and findings were integrated using a convergent integrated approach. Forty-four studies comprising 11,180 participants were included. Non-adherence prevalence ranged from 12.0% to 89.2%. Four overarching themes were identified: psychological distress, perceptions and beliefs, coping strategies, and social-contextual factors. Depressive symptoms and low social support were the most consistent correlates. Qualitative findings highlighted emotional burden, stigma, and regimen complexity as additional barriers. Medication non-adherence is multifactorial and context dependent. Integrating psychosocial screening and patient-reported outcomes into routine transplant care may improve adherence and long-term graft outcomes.

Indexed as

Kidney TransplantationMedication AdherenceTransplant RecipientsAdaptation, PsychologicalHumansSocial SupportKidney transplantMedicationsNon-adherencePsychological factorsSelf-reported

Identifiers

PMID42907905
PMCPMC13689237

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.