BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapies have been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, which may impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: In this survey, 4,232 renal transplant recipients from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden completed the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). SF-36 scores were compared with country norm values. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify immunosuppressants associated with GI symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of troublesome GI symptoms (GSRS>1) was 83% for indigestion, 69% for abdominal pain, 58% for constipation, 53% for diarrhea, 47% for reflux, and 92% for any GI symptom. Compared with the general population, HRQoL was most commonly meaningfully impaired in the general health dimension (53% of patients). The presence and severity of GI symptoms were associated with worse HRQoL. Tacrolimus showed a significant association with diarrhea (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-2.0) and constipation (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), and sirolimus with indigestion (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.0-8.1) and abdominal pain (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: GI symptoms are associated with impaired HRQoL in the renal transplant population. Managing GI symptoms by careful choice of immunosuppressants should be a focus for improving HRQoL in renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapies have been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, which may impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: In this survey, 4,232 renal transplant recipients from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden completed the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). SF-36 scores were compared with country norm values. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify immunosuppressants associated with GI symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of troublesome GI symptoms (GSRS>1) was 83% for indigestion, 69% for abdominal pain, 58% for constipation, 53% for diarrhea, 47% for reflux, and 92% for any GI symptom. Compared with the general population, HRQoL was most commonly meaningfully impaired in the general health dimension (53% of patients). The presence and severity of GI symptoms were associated with worse HRQoL. Tacrolimus showed a significant association with diarrhea (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-2.0) and constipation (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), and sirolimus with indigestion (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.0-8.1) and abdominal pain (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: GI symptoms are associated with impaired HRQoL in the renal transplant population. Managing GI symptoms by careful choice of immunosuppressants should be a focus for improving HRQoL in renal transplant recipients.
Authors: John Richard Lee; Matthew Magruder; Lisa Zhang; Lars F Westblade; Michael J Satlin; Amy Robertson; Emmanuel Edusei; Carl Crawford; Lilan Ling; Ying Taur; Jonas Schluter; Michelle Lubetzky; Darshana Dadhania; Eric Pamer; Manikkam Suthanthiran Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2018-07-21 Impact factor: 8.086
Authors: John M Stone; Andrew Savage; Michelle Hudspeth; Katherine Twombley; Nagraj Kasi; Jose Antonio Quiros; Ricardo A Arbizu; Scott Curry Journal: Pediatr Transplant Date: 2020-07-08
Authors: Hyeon Seok Hwang; Bok Jin Hyoung; Sol Kim; Ha Young Oh; Yon Su Kim; Jung Kyung Kim; Yeong Hoon Kim; Yong Lim Kim; Chan Duck Kim; Gyu Tae Shin; Chul Woo Yang Journal: J Korean Med Sci Date: 2010-11-24 Impact factor: 2.153
Authors: Claire Juliet Martin; Elmi Muller; Demetre Labadarios; Frederick Johannes Veldman; Susanna Maria Kassier Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 4.147