Quality of life of adolescent kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Objective: To elicit utility-based quality of life (QOL) of adolescent kidney transplant recipients.

Study design: We measured QOL in adolescent transplant recipients by using a visual analog scale (VAS), and 2 utility-based QOL measures, the Health Utilities Index (HUI) Mark 2/3 (HUI2/3), and the time trade-off. Participants aged 11-19 years old were recruited from 5 transplantation centers in Australia. Mean scores were compared by using paired t tests, and linear multiple regression was used to define predictors for time trade-off QOL weights.

Results: Twenty-six adolescents participated in the study. On a scale with extremes of 0 (death) and 1 (full health), the participants had a mean (SD) time trade-off QOL weight of 0.99 ± 0.01 and HUI2/3 utility scores of 0.86 ± 0.16 and 0.85 ± 0.21, respectively. Time trade-off values were significantly higher than HUI Mark 2 values (P = .01) and HUI Mark 3 values (P = .02). From the HUI measure, decrements were observed in specific QOL domains, including vision, emotion (depression and anxiety), cognition, and pain.

Conclusion: Adolescent kidney transplant recipients had consistent and high values for their current QOL, which suggests that they perceive themselves to be close to full health. However, adequate emotional and cognitive support may improve their overall QOL.