J Korean Soc Transplant.  2002 Jun;16(1):110-118.

The Symptom Experience Associated with Immunosuppressive Therapy in Organ Transplant Recipients

• Kim KS
• Kang J
• Ha HS
• Rho MH
• Park KW
• Hong JJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate symptom frequency and symptom discomfort in liver, kidney and heart transplant recipients.
METHODS
This descriptive, comparative study included 191 subjects (86 liver, 81 kidney, 24 heart: 135 male, 56 female). The symptom frequency and distress questionnaires were used to examine the symptom experience of the subjects.
RESULTS
The most frequent and distressing symptom was fatigue. Increased hair, increased appetite, poor concentration and poor vision were frequently reported and poor vision, poor concentration, muscle weakness, and headache were causing high distress. Women reported a significantly higher level of symptom frequency and discomfort than men. Heart recipients reported a significantly higher level of symptom frequency and discomfort than renal or liver recipients. Significant (P<0.05) differences were found in symptom frequency and discomfort depending on transplant organs, numbers of immunosuppressants genders, age and types of drug and time after transplantation. Most of symptoms were related to the side effects of cyclosporine or corticosteroids.
CONCLUSION
The results provide a basis for patient and family education and for symptom management. Further investigation of the symptom experience of the transplant patients is needed, especially in relation to quality of life.

Keyword

Transplantation; Immunosuppresive therapy; Symptom frequency; Symptom discomfort

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Appetite
Cyclosporine
Education
Fatigue
Female
Hair
Headache
Heart
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents
Kidney
Liver
Male
Muscle Weakness
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transplantation
Transplants*
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Cyclosporine
Immunosuppressive Agents