Lower quality of life in young men after pediatric kidney transplantation when compared to healthy controls and survivors of childhood leukemia-a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Data about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adult recipients after pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx) are scarce. In this nationwide questionnaire-based study, HRQOL and social status in young adult men having undergone KTx during childhood (n = 29) were studied and compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 56) and survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 52) comprising controls with another chronic disease of childhood. Altogether 41% of the KTx recipients, 50% of the leukemia survivors and 80% of the healthy controls lived in a permanent relationship. When compared with leukemia survivors, the KTx recipients reported significantly more bodily pain and worse general health (RAND-36). Older age at time of study, longer duration of dialysis, multiple transplantations and diminished graft function correlated with lower scores. The KTx recipients had a significantly higher mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score than the leukemia survivors (P = 0.000) or the healthy controls (P = 0.006). BDI scores were highest in patients who lived without a partner or children had lower educational level or were unemployed. KTx recipients had significantly lower HRQOL scores than their healthy and controls with childhood chronic disease. Early detection of psychosocial problems and poor physical functioning among these patients is warranted.

High depression rates among pediatric renal replacement therapy patients: A cross‐sectional study

“…By contrast, our study is in agreement with the more recent study by Brownbridge and Fielding, who found no significant difference between dialysis and post‐transplant patients. Recent data from Finland suggest that the problem only worsens upon transition to adulthood . The quality of life among former pediatric renal transplant recipients in early adulthood is worse than that of pediatric cancer survivors, even if there is good graft function.…”

“…30 In an older study, Reynolds et al 30 TA B L E 2 Socioeconomical characteristics adulthood. 32,33 The quality of life among former pediatric renal transplant recipients in early adulthood is worse than that of pediatric cancer survivors, even if there is good graft function.…”

Telomere length regulators are activated in young men after pediatric kidney transplantation compared to healthy controls and survivors of childhood cancer—A cross‐sectional study

“…A major limitation of the present study is the relatively small number of study patients. Secondly, we focused only on male patients and excluded those with significant co‐morbidities since this study is part of a larger follow‐up study evaluating fertility and quality of life in young men after pediatric KTx . Thirdly, we used previously recruited control groups and, thus, we could not perfectly match the cohorts by their age and relevant medical history.…”

“…Secondly, we focused only on male patients and excluded those with significant co-morbidities since this study is part of a larger follow-up study evaluating fertility and quality of life in young men after pediatric KTx. 2,32 Thirdly, we used previously recruited control groups and, thus, we could not perfectly match the cohorts by their age and relevant medical history. NBL survivors were significantly younger at the time of diagnosis than the KTx recipients at initiation of dialysis, and they had a longer history with severe chronic disease than the KTx patients.…”

We have to do more for former paediatric renal transplant recipients!

“…Data on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are scant. In this context, we are delighted to see the study by Kira End en et al in this edition of Transplant International, entitled 'Lower quality of life in young men after pediatric kidney transplantation when compared to healthy controls and survivors of childhood leukemia -a cross-sectional study' [10]. Their study included 29 former paediatric renal transplant recipients, 52 survivors of childhood-onset acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 56 age and gendermatched controls, during the period of 1983-2011.…”