title: An assessment of the long-term health outcome of renal transplant recipients in Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Renal transplantation remains the preferred method of renal replacement therapy in terms of patient survival, quality of life and cost. However, patients have a high risk of complications ranging from rejection episodes, infection and cancer, amongst others.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we sought to determine the long-term health outcomes and preventive health measures undertaken for the 1,536 living renal transplant patients in Ireland using a self-reported questionnaire. Outcomes were divided into categories, namely, general health information, allograft-related information, immunosuppression-related complications and preventive health measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrate a high rate of cardiovascular, neoplastic and infectious complications in our transplant patients. Moreover, preventive health measures are often not undertaken by patients and lifestyle choices can be poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the work needed by the transplantation community to improve patient education, adjust immunosuppression where necessary and aggressively manage patient risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. ali.alaradi07@gmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Aradi
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Kelly
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kheradmand
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Walshe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Conlon
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs