Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients
American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2011•Elsevier
BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure in
patients with chronic kidney disease. It also has been shown repeatedly to predict mortality
in various patient populations. In a prospective cohort study, we assessed the association
between HRQoL and long-term clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients. STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective prevalent cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We collected
sociodemographic parameters, medical and transplant history, and laboratory data at …
patients with chronic kidney disease. It also has been shown repeatedly to predict mortality
in various patient populations. In a prospective cohort study, we assessed the association
between HRQoL and long-term clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients. STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective prevalent cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We collected
sociodemographic parameters, medical and transplant history, and laboratory data at …
BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure in patients with chronic kidney disease. It also has been shown repeatedly to predict mortality in various patient populations. In a prospective cohort study, we assessed the association between HRQoL and long-term clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective prevalent cohort study.
SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
We collected sociodemographic parameters, medical and transplant history, and laboratory data at baseline from 879 prevalent kidney transplant recipients (mean age, 49 ± 13 [standard deviation] years; 58% men; and 17% with diabetes mellitus).
PREDICTOR
We assessed HRQoL using the KDQoL-SF (Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form) questionnaire and assessed depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale.
OUTCOMES
All-cause mortality and death-censored transplant loss or death with functioning transplant. Cox regression models and semiparametric competing-risks regression analyses were used to measure associations between HRQoL scores and outcomes.
RESULTS
Most examined HRQoL domains were associated with clinical outcome in unadjusted models. After adjusting for several important confounders, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Composite Score and Physical Functioning and General Health Perception subscale scores remained independently associated with clinical outcomes. Every 10-point increase in SF-36 Physical Composite Score and Physical Functioning and General Health Perception scores was associated with 18% (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.95), 11% (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94), and 7% lower risks of mortality (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-1.00), respectively.
LIMITATIONS
Single-center study.
CONCLUSIONS
We showed that the SF-36 Physical Composite Score and Physical Functioning and General Health Perception KDQoL-SF domain scores are associated independently with increased risk of mortality in kidney transplant patients. Regular assessment of HRQoL may be a useful tool to inform health care providers about the prognosis of kidney transplant recipients. Additional studies are needed to assess whether interventions aimed at improving HRQoL would improve clinical outcomes in this patient population.
Elsevier