title: [Symptom experience of patients after allogenic renal transplantation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of life and medication adherence of patients after renal transplantation (RTx) is most affected by problems associated with immunosuppressive symptoms. However, these problems are often underestimated in frequency and level of distress by professionals involved in transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine symptom occurrence and distress associated with current immunosuppressive medication following RTx.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess symptom experience using the Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale-Revised 59 with bivariate subgroup analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  605 renal transplant recipients completed the survey. The most common symptoms were dry skin, erectile problems, bruises, muscle weakness and tiredness. The erectile problems, menstrual problems, sores or warts around genitals, feelings of anxiety and joint pain appeared to be the most distressing symptoms. A significantly higher level of symptom prevalence and distress was associated with a number of sociodemographic, disease-related and drug-related factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results increase awareness for a careful symptom assessment and provide the basis for strategies to control symptoms. That should lead to improved quality of life and medication adherence with long patient and graft survival.
authors.affiliation: Eichsfeld Klinikum, Schule für Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege, Heilbad Heiligenstadt.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiederhold
authors.affiliation: AWO Gesundheitsdienste, Nephrologisches Zentrum Niedersachsen, Hann. Münden.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kliem
authors.affiliation: Institut für Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaft Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landenberger
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents