Influence of economic and demographic factors on quality of life in renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of annual income, Medicare status, and demographic variables on the health-related quality of life (HQoL) of renal transplant recipients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was mailed to 146 Georgia renal transplant recipients who had functional grafts. Data were collected using the SF-12 Health Survey (version 2), a demographics survey, and 2003 tax documents. One-way ANOVAs and Pearson's R correlations were used to examine relationships between annual income, Medicare status, demographic variables and SF-12 scores. Significant variables were included in stepwise multiple regression analyses.


RESULTS
Data from 130 participants (89% response rate) were collected. Recipients with no Medicare coverage had significantly higher scores on the Physical Functioning and Role Physical SF-12 scales (p = 0.005) compared to recipients with Medicare. Annual income was positively correlated with General Health (p < 0.05). Age and race were significant predictors of Vitality (p = 0.004) and Physical Component Summary (p < 0.001) scores. Age, race, and Medicare status were significant predictors of Physical Functioning and Role Physical scores (p < 0.001). Age, annual income, race, and years post-transplant were significant predictors of General Health score (p < 0.001). Age was the sole predictor of Bodily Pain score (p = 0.002), and marital status was the sole predictor of Social Functioning score (p = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions designed to offset financial barriers may be needed to bolster renal transplant recipients' HQoL.
Chisholm
Marie A
MA
Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, USA. Chisholm@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Spivey
Christina A
CA
Nus
Audrey Van
AV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States