Self-report of symptom frequency and symptom distress in kidney transplant recipients

The aim of this study was to assess symptom frequency and symptom distress associated with adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients and to correlate it with compliance and socio-demographic characteristics.

Symptom frequency and symptom distress were evaluated by the 'Adapted Transplant Symptom Frequency and Symptom Distress Scale'. Data were collected from 85 patients who had undergone a kidney transplant between 1995 and 1997.

Women reported a significantly higher level of symptom frequency and symptom distress when compared with men. The most frequent symptoms reported by women were changed appearance and increased hair growth, whereas for men were increased appetite and 'moon face'. Nevertheless the most distressing symptoms for women were painful menstruation and insomnia and for men were impotence and decreased interest in sex. Concerning compliance the non-compliant group reported a higher level of symptom frequency and symptom distress when compared with the compliant group. These results suggest that complications caused by symptoms associated with the adverse effects of immunosuppressive therapy are perceived differently by men and women and may induce non-compliance.