Life satisfaction among kidney transplant recipients: demographic and biological factors

The Transplant Learning Center is a program providing education and support for solid-organ transplant recipients taking cyclosporine (Neoral or Sandimmune). One goal of the program is to improve patients' quality of life, which may be influenced by demographic and biological factors, and in turn influences adherence to prescribed medication regimens. We analyzed the results from the initial survey of enrollees to better understand life satisfaction and to test the validity and reliability of the satisfaction scale used in the program.

Patients enter the program through self-selection: all enrollees who received a kidney transplant were included in this analysis. Satisfaction was measured using the Life Satisfaction Index, which includes 8 questions about aspects of satisfaction with the patient's life. Associations between the Life Satisfaction Index and demographic factors, comorbid medical conditions, adverse effects of immunosuppressants, and medication compliance were examined.

All 3676 kidney transplant recipients who completed the initial survey were included. Mean satisfaction scores were highest in persons who were older than 64 years, men, and those who were married. Satisfaction scores were positively correlated with education and income. Mean satisfaction score was significantly lower among persons with medical comorbidities, persons who reported that adverse effects of medications were more frequent, and persons who reported noncompliance with their medication regimen.

The Life Satisfaction Index is a transplant-specific measure of health-related quality of life that can be used to help detect areas of potential concern in the clinical management of kidney transplant recipients.