Factors Associated with Physical and Mental Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients Currently ≥ 50 Years Old
Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Meeting: 2013 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: A812
Background:
Kidney transplantation is becoming more common in older patients. Quality of life (QOL) in these patients who are usually burdened with many comorbid conditions has not been described in detail.
Purpose:
Herein, we identify factors that affect both physical and mental QOL after a transplant in older patients.
Methods:
1440 kidney transplant recipients who are ≥ 50 years of age currently filled out SF36 Quality of Life survey post-transplant. Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS) were calculated from 0-100. Mean age at transplant was 49.7 +/- 12.8 years (range: 13.6-78.6), and mean time from transplant to survey was 9.1 ± 8.0 years (range: 0.1-45.0) and mean follow-up was 13.8 ± 8.4 years (range: 0.6-46.9). A regression model was used to evaluate the following factors and QOL: age at transplant, donor type, graft status, race, gender, smoking, PVD, CAD, CHF, cancer (skin, non-skin, none), dialysis time, overall current PRA and cause of kidney disease.
Results:
The average PCS and MCS scores were 40.3 ± 12.3 (range: 6.8-65.6) and 52.0 ± 10.5 (range: 14.1-74.8), respectively. Factors associated with a significant (P<0.01) decrease in PCS were a failed graft (score change: -4.51), being female (-2.83), smoking (-2.10), CAD (-4.00), and being older (each additional year in age: -0.18). Graft status was the only factor associated with MCS: lower MCS (-3.12) for a failed graft (P<0.01). There was no significant association between all other factors and QOL. We also found a significant interaction between age at transplant and smoking for PCS (P=0.01): smokers had a lower PCS than non-smokers up to around age 65. (Fig. 1).
Conclusion:
Physical quality of life is significantly worse in older recipients, those with a failed graft, CAD, smokers, and female gender, but absolute differences are minimal. Our study shows that the overall physical and mental QOL in older kidney transplant recipients remains low.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Faravardeh A, Jackson S, Matas A, Gross C, Ibrahim H. Factors Associated with Physical and Mental Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients Currently ≥ 50 Years Old [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2013; 13 (suppl 5). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/factors-associated-with-physical-and-mental-quality-of-life-in-kidney-transplant-recipients-currently-50-years-old/. Accessed July 18, 2025.« Back to 2013 American Transplant Congress