Predictors and Consequences of Fatigue in Prevalent Kidney Transplant Recipients

The status and influencing factors of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms: A cross-sectional study in China

AIMS

This study describes the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients and analyses the relationship between physiological factors, psychological factors, situational factors and fatigue in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND

Fatigue, as a common symptom after kidney transplantation, is affected by many factors, but the influence of some factors on the fatigue of kidney transplant recipients is still controversial.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study was designed based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms.

METHODS

Our survey involved 307 participants attending the kidney transplant outpatient clinic of a tertiary Class A hospital (Changsha, Hunan, China). Data were collected between February and April 2021 using a structured questionnaire and electronic medical records. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 25.0 (SPSS Inc.) RESULTS: It was found that the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was 53.1%. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, sleep quality, hypokalemia, anxiety, depression and education level were independent risk factors for fatigue in kidney transplant recipients.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was high and was influenced by physical, psychological and situational factors. Clinical nurses should assess fatigue levels in a timely and multidimensional manner in clinical practice and provide effective and scientific guidance about fatigue self-coping and symptom management for kidney transplant recipients.

The Gut Microbiome and Symptom Burden After Kidney Transplantation: An Overview and Research Opportunities

Many kidney transplant recipients continue to experience high symptom burden despite restoration of kidney function. High symptom burden is a significant driver of quality of life. In the post-transplant setting, high symptom burden has been linked to negative outcomes including medication non-adherence, allograft rejection, graft loss, and even mortality. Symbiotic bacteria (microbiota) in the human gastrointestinal tract critically interact with the immune, endocrine, and neurological systems to maintain homeostasis of the host. The gut microbiome has been proposed as an underlying mechanism mediating symptoms in several chronic medical conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and psychoneurological disorders via the gut-brain-microbiota axis, a bidirectional signaling pathway between the enteric and central nervous system. Post-transplant exposure to antibiotics, antivirals, and immunosuppressant medications results in significant alterations in gut microbiota community composition and function, which in turn alter these commensal microorganisms' protective effects. This overview will discuss the current state of the science on the effects of the gut microbiome on symptom burden in kidney transplantation and future directions to guide this field of study.

Rehabilitation exercises for kidney transplant recipients in an organ transplant ward: a best practice implementation project

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Kidney transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage kidney disease. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are prone to experiencing reduced physical function, depression, fatigue, and lack of exercise motivation due to their sedentary lifestyle before surgery. Exercise is an effective intervention for KTRs, but it has not been properly implemented in many practice settings. This project aimed to promote evidence-based exercises as part of KTRs' rehabilitation to improve their health outcomes.

METHODS

This project was informed by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. The project was conducted in the organ transplant ward of a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Changsha, China. Based on a summary of best evidence, 12 audit criteria were developed for the baseline and follow-up audits involving 30 patients and 20 nursing staff. The JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) and Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) tool were used to identify barriers and facilitators and develop targeted strategies to improve issues.

RESULTS

Compared with the baseline audit, significant improvements were achieved in most of the criteria in the follow-up audit, with 9 of the 12 criteria reaching 100% compliance. Notably, the 6-minute walk distance test results were significantly higher, while the Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores were significantly lower ( p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This project demonstrates that evidence-based practice can improve the clinical practice of rehabilitation exercises for KTRs. The GRiP strategies proved to be extremely useful, notably, the formulation of a standardized rehabilitation exercise protocol, training, and enhancement of the exercising environment. Head nurses' leadership and decision-making also played an important role in the success of this project.

SPANISH ABSTRACT

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A180.

Psychosocial and Clinical Associations of Fatigue Severity and Fatigue-Related Impairment in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Debilitating fatigue is common in people living with kidney disease and often persists after a kidney transplant. Current understanding of fatigue is centered around pathophysiological processes. Little is known about the role of cognitive and behavioral factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of these factors to fatigue among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). A cross-sectional study of 174 adult KTRs who completed online measures of fatigue, distress, illness perceptions, and cognitive and behavioral responses to fatigue. Sociodemographic and illness-related information was also collected. 63.2% of KTRs experienced clinically significant fatigue. Sociodemographic and clinical factors explained 16.1% and 31.2% of the variance in the fatigue severity and fatigue impairment, respectively, increasing by 28% and 26.8% after adding distress. In adjusted models, all the cognitive and behavioral factors except for illness perceptions were positively associated with increased fatigue-related impairment, but not severity. Embarrassment avoidance emerged as a key cognition. In conclusion, fatigue is common following kidney transplantation and associated with distress and cognitive and behavioral responses to symptoms, particularly embarrassment avoidance. Given the commonality and impact of fatigue in KTRs, treatment is a clinical need. Psychological interventions targeting distress and specific beliefs and behaviors related to fatigue may be beneficial.

Sleep quality, fatigue, societal participation and health-related quality of life in kidney transplant recipients: a cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are common among kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We hypothesized that both may partially be attributable to poor sleep.

METHODS

Cross-sectional and longitudinal data of KTR enrolled in the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study were used. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Individual strength (i.e. a composite of fatigue, concentration, motivation and physical activity), societal participation and HRQoL were assessed using validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

We included 872 KTR (39% female, age 56 ± 13 years) and 335 healthy controls. In total, 33% of male KTR and 49% of female KTR reported poor sleep quality, which was higher compared with male and female healthy controls (19% and 28%, respectively, P < .001 for both). In logistic regression analyses, female sex, anxiety, active smoking, low protein intake, physically inactive lifestyle, low plasma magnesium concentration, using calcineurin inhibitors, not using mTOR inhibitors and using benzodiazepine agonists were associated with poor sleep quality. In adjusted linear regression analyses, poor sleep was strongly and independently associated with lower individual strength [standardized β (st.β) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 0.74, P < .001], poorer societal participation (frequency: st.β = -0.17, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.01, P = .04; restrictions: st.β = -0.36, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.21, P < .001; satisfaction: st.β = -0.44, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.28, P < .001) and lower HRQoL (physical: st.β = -0.53, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.38, P < .001; mental: st.β = -0.64, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.50, P < .001). The associations with poorer societal participation and lower HRQoL were strongly mediated by individual strength (P < .001 for all), yet the suggested direct effects of poor sleep quality on HRQoL remained significant (Pphysical = .03, Pmental = .002). Longitudinal data of 292 KTR showed that sleep quality improves after kidney transplantation in males (P < .001), but not in females (P = .9).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality is common among KTR, and may be a potential target to improve fatigue, societal participation and HRQoL among KTR.

Creatine and creatinine quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance: A method validation study and clinical associations between circulating creatine and fatigue in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

A potential contributor to fatigue in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) may be impaired creatine homeostasis. We developed and validated a high-throughput NMR assay allowing for simultaneous measurement of circulating creatine and creatinine, and determined plasma creatine and estimated intramuscular creatine concentrations in KTRs, delineated their determinants and explored their associations with self-reported fatigue.

METHODS

An NMR assay was developed and validated for measurement of circulating creatinine and creatine concentrations. Plasma creatine and creatinine concentrations were measured in 618 KTR. Fatigue was assessed using the checklist individual strength. Associations of creatine parameters with fatigue was assessed using linear mixed effect models.

RESULTS

The NMR-based assay had good sensitivity, precision and demonstrated linearity across a large range of values. Among KTR, the mean age was 56 ± 13 years, 62% were men and eGFR was 54 ± 18 ml/min/1.73 m2. Plasma creatine concentration was 27 [19-39] µmol/L. Estimated intramuscular creatine concentration was 27 ± 7 mmol/kg. Higher plasma creatine concentration and higher estimated intramuscular creatine concentration were independently associated with a lower total fatigue score and less motivation problems.

CONCLUSION

An NMR method for measurement of circulating creatine and creatinine which offers the potential for accurate and efficient quantification was developed. The found associations suggest that improving creatine status may play a beneficial role in mitigating fatigue.

Sickness Symptoms in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Scoping Review

Sickness symptoms (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and fatigue) are common among people with chronic illness, often presenting as a symptom cluster. Sickness symptoms persist in many patients with chronic kidney disease, even after kidney transplantation (KT); however, little is known about sickness symptom-induced burden in KT recipients. This scoping review synthesizes available evidence for sickness symptoms in KT recipients, including findings on symptom prevalence, predictors, outcomes, interrelationships, and clustering. Among 38 reviewed studies, none identified sickness symptoms as a cluster, but we observed interrelationships among the symptoms examined. Fatigue was the most prevalent sickness symptom, followed by anxiety and depressive symptoms. Predictors of these symptoms included demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors, and health-related quality of life was the most researched outcome. Future research should use common data elements to phenotype sickness symptoms, include biological markers, and employ sophisticated statistical methods to identify potential clustering of sickness symptoms in KT recipients.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Use, Fatigue, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Results From the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Prior studies report that the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can adversely affect gut microbiota and gastrointestinal uptake of micronutrients, in particular iron and magnesium, and are used frequently by kidney transplant recipients. Altered gut microbiota, iron deficiency, and magnesium deficiency have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic fatigue. Therefore, we hypothesized that PPI use may be an important and underappreciated cause of fatigue and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Kidney transplant recipients (≥1 year after transplantation) enrolled in the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study.

EXPOSURE

PPI use, PPI type, PPI dosage, and duration of PPI use.

OUTCOME

Fatigue and HRQoL, assessed using the validated Checklist Individual Strength 20 Revised questionnaire and Short Form-36 questionnaire.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Logistic and linear regression.

RESULTS

We included 937 kidney transplant recipients (mean age 56±13 years, 39% female) at a median of 3 (1-10) years after transplantation. PPI use was associated with fatigue severity (regression coefficient 4.02, 95% CI, 2.18 to 5.85, P<0.001), a higher risk of severe fatigue (OR 2.05, 95% CI, 1.48 to 2.84, P<0.001), lower physical HRQoL (regression coefficient-8.54, 95% CI, -11.54 to-5.54, P<0.001), and lower mental HRQoL (regression coefficient-4.66, 95% CI, -7.15 to-2.17, P<0.001). These associations were independent of potential confounders including age, time since transplantation, history of upper gastrointestinal disease, antiplatelet therapy, and the total number of medications. They were present among all individually assessed PPI types and were dose dependent. Duration of PPI exposure was only associated with fatigue severity.

LIMITATIONS

Residual confounding and inability to assess causal relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

PPI use is independently associated with fatigue and lower HRQoL among kidney transplant recipients. PPI use might be an easily accessible target for alleviating fatigue and improving HRQoL among kidney transplant recipients. Further studies examining the effect of PPI exposure in this population are warranted.

A Causal-Pathway Phenotype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to Hemodialysis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with fatigue and physiosomatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to delineate the associations between severity of fatigue and physio-somatic symptoms and glomerular filtration rate, inflammatory biomarkers, and Wnt/cateninpathway proteins.

METHODS

The Wnt-pathway related proteins β-catenin, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), R-spondin- 1, and sclerostin were measured by ELISA technique in 60 ESRD patients and 30 controls. The Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FF) Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of FF symptoms.

RESULTS

ESRD is characterized by a significant increase in the total FF score, muscle tension, fatigue, sadness, sleep disorders, gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, and a flu-like malaise. The total-FF score was significantly correlated with serum levels of urea, creatinine, and copper (positively), and β-catenin, eGFR, hemoglobin, albumin, and zinc (inversely). The total-FF score was associated with the number of total dialysis and weekly dialysis sessions, and these dialysis characteristics were more important in predicting FF scores than eGFR measurements. Partial Least Squares analysis showed that the FF score comprised two factors that are differently associated with biomarkers: a) 43.0% of the variance in fatigue, GI symptoms, muscle tension, sadness, and insomnia is explained by hemoglobin, albumin, zinc, β-catenin, and R-spondin-1; and b) 22.3% of the variance in irritability, concentration and memory impairments by increased copper and cations/chloride ratio, and male sex.

CONCLUSION

ESRD patients show high levels of fatigue and physio-somatic symptoms associated with hemodialysis and mediated by dialysis-induced changes in inflammatory pathways, the Wnt/catenin pathway, and copper.

Association Between the Fatigue and Sleep Quality of Kidney Transplant Recipients: The Mediating Role of Rumination

ABSTRACT

Sleep disorders persist in renal transplant patients. Previous studies have showed that fatigue and rumination are an important determinant of sleep quality. However, very few studies have explored the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between fatigue and sleep quality in kidney transplant recipients. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was implemented, and 192 kidney transplant patients completed the short questionnaire about their recent experiences of fatigue, rumination, and sleep quality. The prevalence of sleep disorders among kidney transplant recipients was 19.3%. With rumination as a partial mediator, fatigue indirectly affected the patients' sleep quality. This indirect effect was 0.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.154-0.419). Our results indicate that the incidence of sleep disorders after renal transplantation was high, and the more tired kidney transplant recipients become, the more likely they are to ruminate, which leads to a decline in sleep quality.

Patient-reported outcomes evaluation and assessment of facilitators and barriers to physical activity in the Transplantoux aerobic exercise intervention

Background

Transplantoux’s MVT exercise intervention prepares organ transplant recipients to cycle or hike up France’s Mont Ventoux. We aimed to assess (i) MVT’s effects on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and (ii) perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity.

Methods

Using a hybrid design, a convenience sample of transplant recipients participating in MVT (n = 47 cycling (TxCYC); n = 18 hiking (TxHIK)), matched control transplant recipients (TxCON, n = 213), and healthy MVT participants (HCON, n = 91) completed surveys to assess physical activity (IPAQ), health-related quality of life (HRQOL; SF-36 and EuroQol VAS), mental health (GHQ-12), and depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) at baseline, then after 3, 6 (Mont Ventoux climb), 9, and 12 months. TxCYC and TxHIK participated in a 6-month intervention of individualized home-based cycling/hiking exercise and a series of supervised group training sessions. Barriers and facilitators to physical activity (Barriers and Motivators Questionnaire) were measured at 12 months.

Results

Regarding PROs, except for reducing TxHIK stress levels, MVT induced no substantial intervention effects. For both TxCYC and TxHIK, between-group comparisons at baseline showed that physical activity, HRQOL, mental health, depressive symptomatology and stress were similar to those of HCON. In contrast, compared to TxCYC, TxHIK, and HCON, physical activity, HRQOL and mental health were lower in TxCON. TxCON also reported greater barriers, lower facilitators, and different priority rankings concerning physical activity barriers and facilitators.

Conclusion

Barely any of the PROs assessed in the present study responded to Transplantoux’s MVT exercise intervention. TxCON reported distinct and unfavorable profiles regarding PROs and barriers and facilitators to physical activity. These findings can assist tailored physical activity intervention development.

Trial registration

Clinical trial notation: The study was approved by the University Hospitals Leuven’s Institutional Review Board (B322201523602).

Analysis of the Effect of Mindfulness Behavior Intervention Combined with Progressive Breathing Training on Pulmonary Function Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose

Studies have shown that 50%-70% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have fatigue in addition to respiratory symptoms, so relieving respiratory symptoms and reducing fatigue are the main treatment objectives for COPD patients. This study focuses on the effect of positive behavioral intervention combined with progressive breathing training on pulmonary function rehabilitation in patients with COPD.

Methods

86 patients who underwent COPD treatment in our hospital between August 2020 and December 2021 were selected as study subjects and were divided into control (n = 43) and study groups (n = 43) using the random number table method. Patients in the control group were given conventional care, treatment, and health guidance, while patients in the study group were given positive behavioral intervention combined with progressive breathing training on this basis. Patients in both groups were compared on the basis of Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 (MFI-20) score, the Medical Coping Questionnaire (MCMQ score), the Massive Attentional Awareness Scale (MAAS) score, and pulmonary function indicators (including the percentage of forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1%), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), and 6-min walk distance (6MWD)) and quality of life (MCMQ) scores before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

Results

After 12 weeks of intervention, the study group had higher MFI-20 scores (comprehensive fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, decreased power, and mental fatigue), confrontation scores on the MCMQ scale, MAAS scores (observation, description, nonjudgmental to intrinsic experience, nonresponsiveness to intrinsic experience, and perceived behavior), FEV1%, PEF, FVC, and 6MWD levels than the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of avoidance and submission on the MCMQ scale, and all scores of quality of life (cough, expectoration, shortness of breath, chest tightness, housework, going out, sleep, and energy) were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Positive behavioral interventions combined with progressive breathing training have a strengthening effect on the clinical treatment of COPD patients. Positive behavioral interventions combined with progressive breathing training are simple to implement as individual self-regulation methods and can be practiced on their own after being familiar with certain methods and techniques, and long-term adherence helps individuals cope with the stimulation of adverse events. Trail Registration. The clinical registration number for this research is L2020083.

Defining routine fatigue care in Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom: What treatments are offered and who gets them?

Background

Fatigue is common and disabling in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A recent meta-analytic systematic review reported 113 trials of exercise and behavioural interventions for fatigue, yet patients consistently describe fatigue being under-treated. The extent of the research-to-practice gap is yet to be documented.

Objective

To describe what fatigue treatments people with MS (pwMS) in the United Kingdom (UK) have been offered.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of pwMS on the UK MS Register (UKMSR). Data on fatigue treatments offered were collected using an online questionnaire developed with patient input and summarised using descriptive statistics. Sociodemographic, MS-related, and psychological factors associated with treatment offered were evaluated using a logistic regression model.

Results

4,367 respondents completed the survey, 90.3% reported experiencing fatigue. Of these, 30.8% reported having been offered at least one type of pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment for fatigue. Pharmacological treatments were more commonly offered (22.4%) compared to non-pharmacological treatments (12.6%; 2.9% exercise and 5.9% behavioural therapy). In the logistic regression model, older age, working, shorter time since MS diagnosis, and lower fatigue were associated with lower odds of having been offered treatment for fatigue.

Conclusion

This study accentuates the extent of the unmet need for fatigue treatment in MS in the UK.

Airflow Limitation, Fatigue, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Many kidney transplant recipients suffer from fatigue and poor health-related quality of life. Airflow limitation may be an underappreciated comorbidity among kidney transplant recipients, which could contribute to fatigue and lower health-related quality of life in this population. In this study, we compared the prevalence of airflow limitation between kidney transplant recipients and healthy controls and investigated associations of airflow limitation with fatigue and health-related quality of life in kidney transplant recipients.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Data from the ongoing TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort study were used. Airflow limitation was defined as forced exhaled volume in 1 second less than the fifth percentile of the general population. Fatigue and health-related quality of life were assessed using checklist individual strength 20 revised (CIS20-R) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 539 kidney transplant recipients (58% men; mean age 56±13 years) and 244 healthy controls (45% men; mean age 57±10 years) were included. Prevalence of airflow limitation was higher in kidney transplant recipients than in healthy controls (133 [25%] versus 25 [10%]). In multinomial regression models, airflow limitation was independently associated with fatigue severity (odds ratio moderate fatigue, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 3.09 and odds ratio severe fatigue, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 4.55; P=0.007) and lower physical health-related quality of life (-0.11 SDs; 95% confidence interval, -0.19 to -0.02; P=0.01) in kidney transplant recipients. In exploratory mediation analyses, fatigue accounted for 79% of the association of airflow limitation with physical health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Airflow limitation is common among kidney transplant recipients. Its occurrence is associated with more than two times higher risk of severe fatigue, and it is associated with lower physical health-related quality of life. Mediation analyses suggest that airflow limitation causes fatigue, which in turn, decreases physical health-related quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER

TransplantLines: The Transplantation Biobank, NCT03272841 PODCAST: This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2021_11_08_CJN06600521.mp3.

Fatigue in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fatigue is still present in up to 40–50% of kidney transplant recipients (KTR), the results of studies comparing the prevalence among patients on hemodialysis (HD) and KTR led to conflicting results. Fatigue correlates include inflammation, symptoms of depression, sleep disorders and obesity. Fatigue in KTR leads to significant functional impairment, it is common among KTR poorly adherent to immunosuppressive therapy and is associated with a serious deterioration of quality of life. The following databases were searched for relevant studies up to November 2020: Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Several studies have compared the prevalence and severity of fatigue between KTR and hemodialysis or healthy patients. They have shown that fatigue determines a significant functional deterioration with less chance of having a paid job and a significant change in quality of life. The aim of the review is to report methods to assess fatigue and its prevalence in KTR patients, compared to HD subjects and define the effects of fatigue on health status and daily life. There is no evidence of studies on the treatment of this symptom in KTR. Efforts to identify and treat fatigue should be a priority to improve the quality of life of KTR.

Exercise training in patients after kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. Next to the risk of allograft failure, major obstacles for disease-free survival after kidney transplantation include a higher incidence of cancer, infection and cardiovascular events. Risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes include pre-existent comorbidities, the introduction of an immunodeficient status and (lack of) lifestyle changes after transplantation. Indeed, physical inactivity and poor physical fitness are important targets to address in order to improve clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation. This review summarizes the current evidence on exercise training after kidney transplantation, derived from randomized controlled trials. As much as possible, results are discussed in the perspective of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Transplantation core outcomes, which were recently described as critically important outcome domains for trials in kidney transplant recipients.

Fear of Movement and Physical Self-Efficacy Partially Mediate the Association Between Fatigue and Physical Activity Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms in renal transplant patients, causing functional impairment and worsening their quality of life. However, the mechanism by which fatigue affects physical activity is unclear. A cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling approach was utilized to investigate 665 kidney transplant recipients recruited from the transplantation centers of six general hospitals from July and September 2019. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the interaction among fatigue, fear of movement, physical self-efficacy, and physical activity. Our study found fatigue was directly negatively associated with physical activity and had an indirect impact on physical activity through the mediating effects of physical self-efficacy and fear of movement. These variables accounted for 44.4% of the variation in physical activity. Our findings alert healthcare providers for the importance of fatigue management for physical activity and focused attention on fear of movement and physical self-efficacy in renal transplant recipients.

Protein Intake, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Stable Outpatient Kidney Transplant Recipients

Fatigue is a frequent complaint in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), often accompanied by poor quality of life (QoL). The role of nutrition as determinant of fatigue in KTR is largely unexplored. The aims of this study are to examine the association of protein intake with fatigue and QoL in KTR and to identify other determinants of fatigue. This cross-sectional study is part of the TransplantLines Cohort and Biobank Study (NCT03272841). Protein intake was calculated from urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) in 24-h urine samples. Fatigue was assessed by the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) questionnaire; moderate and severe fatigue were defined as a CIS score of 20–34 and ≥ 35, respectively. QoL was assessed with the RAND-36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36). Associations of protein intake with fatigue and QoL were analyzed using multinomial logistic and linear regression analyses. We included 730 stable outpatient KTR (median age 58 year [IQR 48–65], 57% male) with a mean protein intake of 82.2 ± 21.3 g/d. Moderate and severe fatigue were present in 254 (35%) and 245 (34%) of KTR. Higher protein intake was significantly associated with lower risk of moderate fatigue (OR 0.89 per 10 g/d; 95%CI 0.83–0.98, p = 0.01), severe fatigue (OR 0.85; 95%CI 0.78–0.92, p < 0.001) and was associated with higher physical component summary score of QoL (β 0.74 per 10 g/d; 95%CI 0.39–1.09, p < 0.001). Higher BMI, a history of dialysis, glomerulonephritis as primary kidney disease and a history of combined organ transplantation were also associated with severe fatigue. In conclusion, amongst the potential modifiable factors of fatigue, higher protein intake is independently associated with lower risk of moderate and severe fatigue and with better QoL in KTR. These findings underline the need to incorporate nutritional assessment in the diagnostic work-up of fatigue. Intervention studies are needed to assess the benefits and safety of higher protein intake in KTR.

Sport and Exercise in Improving Outcomes After Solid Organ Transplantation: Overview From a UK Meeting

Outcomes after solid organ transplantation continue to improve, but premature loss of life remains a major concern, with death from cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease accounting for around 20% late deaths. There are multiple contributory factors including preexisting, and the posttransplant development of, cardiometabolic conditions (such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and obesity). There is accumulating evidence that the regular engagement in exercise is an important factor affecting outcomes before, during, and after transplantation; yet most waitlist candidates and recipients have reduced levels of physical activity. The mechanisms whereby physical activity is associated with better outcomes and a reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular disease are incompletely understood. Attempts to increase physical activity in the transplant population, as in the general population, have had limited success. Use of concepts from Nudge theory provides an evidence-based approach that may help increase physical activity and so reduce premature mortality. Both National and International Transplant Games provide a vehicle for increasing physical activity in this population and may also help to reduce premature death by providing a forum for mutual support for recipients and their families as well as an excellent forum for highlighting the success and impact of organ donation.

Fatigue, anxiety, depression and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients, haemodialysis patients, patients with a haematological malignancy and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

The impact of haemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation on quality of life (QoL) is often underestimated due to a lack of comparative studies with other patient groups.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study in 168 patients including HD patients, kidney transplant recipients (KTR), patients with a haematological malignancy either receiving chemotherapy or in remission and healthy controls. All participants completed the 36-item short form survey of health-related quality of life, the Checklist Individual Strength and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire.

RESULTS

HD patients and haematological patients undergoing chemotherapy were more frequently severely fatigued (53.3% and 50% of cases) compared with KTR (33.3%), haematological patients in remission (23.3%) and healthy controls (12.1%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in anxiety rates. HD patients and haematological patients undergoing chemotherapy were most likely to be depressed (33.3% and 25%), compared with 16.7% of KTR, 20% of haematological patients in remission and 8.6% of healthy controls (P = 0.066). KTR reported the largest positive health change (+27%, P < 0.001), but still had a lower overall QoL than healthy controls, comparable to haematological patients in remission. HD and chemotherapy patients reported the lowest QoL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue and depression are common in HD patients, resulting in a low QoL, comparable to haematological patients receiving chemotherapy. KTR do better, with scores similar to patients with a haematological malignancy in remission, but still have a lower QoL than healthy controls.

Exploration of symptom experience in kidney transplant recipients based on symptoms experience model

PURPOSE

Kidney transplant recipients suffer from a variety of symptoms, and symptom management is crucial in improving their quality of life (QOL). Accordingly, this study aims to identify the symptoms experienced by kidney transplant recipients and examine the relationship amongst antecedents, symptom experience and QOL of recipients in China.

METHODS

A total of 300 kidney transplant recipients were investigated in one of the most first-rate hospitals in China by asking them to fill out a self-designed general questionnaire, the Symptom Experience Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale (Chinese version), the Revised Life Orientation Test (Chinese version) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (Chinese version).

RESULTS

Kidney transplant recipients experienced multiple symptoms that were frequent, severe and bothersome. The final model showed significant consistency with the data. In the QOL model, post-transplant time, complications, immunosuppressive agents and sense of coherence explained 30.7% of the variance of symptom experience. Moreover, habitual residence, economic burden, post-transplant time, kidney function, optimism and symptom experience accounted for 70.6% of the variance on QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

We can explain the relationship between antecedents, symptom experience and QOL amongst Chinese kidney transplant recipients by using Symptoms Experience Model. Clinicians and caregivers can manage the recipient's symptoms during follow-up from psychological, physical and medication management perspectives. Improving sense of coherence, maintaining optimism and managing symptoms are essential for enhancing QOL.

Association between fatigue and depressive symptoms among kidney transplantation recipients: The mediating role of rumination

AIMS

Depressive symptoms are common among kidney transplantation recipients. Previous studies have reported that fatigue and rumination are risk factors for depressive symptoms. To date, the underlying mechanisms of fatigue, rumination, and depressive symptoms among kidney transplantation recipients remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and investigate whether rumination mediates the association between fatigue and depressive symptoms among kidney transplantation recipients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The study of 207 kidney transplantation recipients with an average age of 44.5 years was conducted from January 2017-July 2017. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, fatigue, rumination, and depressive symptoms data were collected. For the descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations and mediation analysis based on the PROCESS macro were used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among kidney transplantation recipients was 21.7%. Rumination mediated the association between fatigue and depressive symptoms and the indirect effect was 0.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.10-0.28).

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent among kidney transplantation recipients. Rumination exerts a mediating role between fatigue and depressive symptoms.

IMPACT

This study alerts physicians and nurses for the importance of considering the mental health of these patients and contributes to the development of effective depression management interventions.

Fatigue 1–5 years after lung transplantation: A multicenter cross-sectional cohort study

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fatigue among lung recipients 1–5 years after transplantation (LuTx) and to explore its relationship to distressing symptoms such as dyspnea, sleep problems, pain, and decreased appetite, as well as psychological and transplant specific wellbeing. A cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study was conducted. A total of 117 lung recipients with a mean age of 54 years ( SD 13 years) who were due for their annual follow-up were included at 1 year ( n = 35), 2 years ( n = 28), 3 years ( n = 23), 4 years ( n = 20), and 5 years ( n = 11) after lung transplantation. Several instruments were used: the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Organ Transplant and Symptom Well-being Instrument (OTSWI), the Pain-O-Meter, and the Psychological General Well-Being Index. Overall 56% reported high or severe fatigue. The Psychological General Well-Being sum score makes the strongest contribution ( p < .0001) to explaining the variance in general fatigue (Beta –.628). The results of the study indicate that efforts both to identify fatigue and to test interventions are needed after LuTx.

Improvement of fatigue after vitamin D supplementation in kidney transplant recipients

Low serum levels of vitamin D have been associated with fatigue in both healthy and clinical populations. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on fatigue in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). In total, 137 patients after kidney transplant and 119 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured by competitive protein-binding assay. Fatigue was assessed using the subscale fatigue of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). Of all KTRs, 60 patients without initial vitamin D3 supplementation were started on vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) 800 IU/d, with a follow-up examination after 3.0 to 9.0 months (mean, 6 months). Fatigue was found in 40.1% of KTRs. Serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely and independently associated with CIS scores in KTRs (P = .002). In the 60 patients who received vitamin D3 supplementation, 25(OH)D was overall increased at follow-up with 18.5% (P = .004) and CIS scores improved with 10.0% (P = .007). As vitamin D has beneficial effects on fatigue scores in KTRs, we suggest monitoring this parameter in KTRs and supplementation with vitamin D3 when vitamin D levels are low.

The role of psychological factors in fatigue among end-stage kidney disease patients: a critical review

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom, affecting 42-89% of end-stage kidney disease patients, persisting even in pre-dialysis care and stable kidney transplantation, with huge repercussions on functioning, quality of life and patient outcomes. This paper presents a critical review of current evidence for the role of psychological factors in renal fatigue. To date, research has concentrated primarily on the contribution of depression, anxiety and subjective sleep quality to the experience of fatigue. These factors display consistent and strong associations with fatigue, above and beyond the role of demographic and clinical factors. Considerably less research is available on other psychological factors, such as social support, stress, self-efficacy, illness and fatigue-specific beliefs and behaviours, and among transplant recipients and patients in pre-dialysis care. Promising evidence is available on the contribution of illness beliefs and behaviours to the experience of fatigue and there is some indication that these factors may vary according to treatment modality, reflecting the differential burdens and coping necessities associated with each treatment modality. However, the use of generic fatigue scales casts doubt on what specifically is being measured among dialysis patients, illness-related fatigue or post-dialysis-specific fatigue. Therefore, it is important to corroborate the available evidence and further explore, qualitatively and quantitatively, the differences in fatigues and fatigue-specific beliefs and behaviours according to renal replacement therapy, to ensure that any model and subsequent intervention is relevant and grounded in the experiences of patients.

The inter-relationship of symptom severity and quality of life in 2055 patients with primary biliary cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Age at presentation with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is associated with differential response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy. Younger-presenting patients are less likely to respond to treatment and more likely to need transplant or die from the disease. PBC has a complex impact on quality of life (QoL), with systemic symptoms often having significant impact.

AIM

To explain the impact of age at presentation on perceived QoL and the inter-related symptoms which impact upon it.

METHODS

Using the UK-PBC cohort, symptoms were assessed using the PBC-40 and other validated tools. Data were available on 2055 patients.

RESULTS

Of the 1990 patients reporting a global PBC-QoL score, 66% reported good/neutral scores and 34% reported poor scores. Each 10-year increase in age at presentation was associated with a 14% decrease in risk of poor perceived QoL (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98, P < 0.05). All symptom domains were similarly age-associated (P < 0.01). Social dysfunction was the symptom factor with the greatest impact on QoL. Median (interquartile range) PBC-40 social scores for patients with good perceived QoL were 18 (14-23) compared with 34 (29-39) for those with poor QoL.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with primary biliary cholangitis do not feel their QoL is impaired, although impairment is reported by a sizeable minority. Age at presentation is associated with impact on perceived QoL and the symptoms impairing it, with younger patients being more affected. Social dysfunction makes the greatest contribution to QoL impairment, and it should be targeted in trials aimed at improving life quality.

Low Adherence to Immunosuppressants Is Associated With Symptom Experience Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between immunosuppressant-related symptom experience (SE) and adherence to immunosuppressant regimens among kidney transplant (KT) recipients.

METHODS

A total of 239 KT recipients on an immunosuppressant regimen who were followed up after transplantation participated in this study. Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire survey (medication adherence, SE, and quality of life) and medical record review.

RESULTS

Low adherence in the immunosuppressant group was associated with longer time since KT, less comorbidity (<3), and a higher rehospitalization rate. Low adherence among KT recipients showed significantly greater overall symptom occurrence (P = .001) and symptom distress (P = .002) levels than patients with high or medium adherence after adjusting for a number of covariates. The most common symptom both in terms of occurrence (96.4%) and distress (91.1%) among poorly adherent KT recipients was tiredness.

CONCLUSION

Low adherence to an immunosuppressant regimen was significantly associated with high SE among KT recipients. Strategies to decrease immunosuppressant-related SE are needed to improve adherence to immunosuppressants.

Patterns and Predictors of Sleep Quality Within the First Year After Lung Transplantation

Context:

Sleep quality affects health and self-management in chronic illness. Limited research has examined patterns and predictors of sleep quality and its impact on self-management and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among lung transplant recipients (LTRs).

Objective:

The aims of this study were to identify the patterns, predictors, and impact of poor sleep quality on self-management behaviors and HRQOL the first year after lung transplantation.

Methods:

Secondary analysis of 75 LTRs who participated in a randomized controlled trial. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 months after transplant; 12-month PSQI was dichotomized categorizing good versus poor sleepers. Predictors were measured at the time of transplant; self-management and HRQOL were measured at 12 months. Logistic regression identified predictors of poor sleep. Correlations examined poor sleep quality, self-management behaviors, and HRQOL.

Results:

Sleep quality was relatively stable during the first year, and 24 of the 75 (32%) of the sample met criteria for poor sleep quality at 12 months. The only multivariate predictor of poor sleep was female gender (odds ratio = 3.421; P = .026); the mental component of HRQOL was the only outcome associated with poor sleep ( r = −.348; P < .01).

Conclusion:

Nearly one-third of LTRs reported persistent poor sleep through year 1. More females reported poor sleep quality, and sleep quality was inversely related to mental HRQOL by 12 months. Knowledge of these relationships may help identify LTRs at the greatest risk for poor sleep and guide strategies to promote sleep and optimize HRQOL.