Health-related quality of life and employment among renal transplant recipients

Objective: To examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HQoL) and employment status in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Methods: Eighty-two RTRs met inclusion criteria: 21-65yr of age; greater than oneyr post-transplant; and received calcineurin inhibitors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a demographics questionnaire and the following HQoL instruments: SF-12 Health Survey version 2 (Physical Component Summary [PCS-12] and Mental Component Summary [MCS-12]) and Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ). Two multivariate logistic regression analyses (SF-12 model and KTQ model) were conducted to determine whether HQoL and demographic variables were independently associated with employment status. Results: Seventy-five RTRs were included in the analysis. Compared with employed RTRs, a greater number of unemployed RTRs were non-white, had lower education levels, and had deceased donor transplants (p<0.05). Employed RTRs had significantly higher SF-12 scores (p<0.05). In the SF-12 logistic regression model, PCS-12 and education level were significant predictors of employment status (p<0.05). In the KTQ model, the Fatigue subscale and education level were significant predictors of employment status (p<0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest higher PCS-12, higher KTQ-Fatigue, and education level are independently associated with employment status. Interventions targeted to improve HQoL, decrease fatigue, and increase education level are discussed.