Kidney transplantation is the most successful treatment for end stage renal disease; however not all comorbidities of the disease are addressed by surgery. Depression and pain are highly prevalent in patients after transplantation. Greater levels of physical fitness have been associated with decreased levels of depression in several populations, however little is known about this association in kidney transplant patients. We evaluated the association between physical fitness, depression and pain in kidney transplant patients. One hundred and three (56 male, 47 female) kidney transplant patients completed a 6 minute walk test, isometric leg strength testing, and the PROMIS v.1.1 [mdash] Global Health short form and PROMIS 29 Profile v2 questionnaires. Patients achieving greater distance on the 6 minute walk test showed significantly lower levels of depression. Higher peak leg strength was negatively correlated with depression. Patients with higher pain showed significantly lower 6 minute walk test distance, peak strength, and perceived physical health and higher levels of depression. These data suggests physical fitness is inversely associated with depression and perceived pain in kidney transplant patients. These data also suggests pain is an important contributor to patient's mental health.

CITATION INFORMATION: Kastelz A., Tzvetanov I., Fernhall B., Shetty A., Gallon L., Hachaj G., Benedetti E. Associations among Physical Fitness/function, Pain and Depression in Kidney Transplant Patients Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

« Back to 2018 American Transplant Congress