#4699 QUALITY OF LIFE AS REPRESENTED BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WAS IMPROVING AFTER FULL CORRECTION OF POST-TRANSPLANT ANEMIA

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Recent studies showed positive impact of correction of post-transplant anemia (PTA) on general health, exercise capacity, and physical scores. So we conducted this prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess quality of life after full correction of post-transplant anemia in renal recipients receiving erythropoietin stimulating agents. Method We recruited 247 kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function in this RCT with 2 groups according to their target hemoglobin (11-12 g/dl, group 1, n = 183) and (13:15 g/dl (group 2, n = 64) which was achieved using erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA). Monthly clinical and laboratory evaluation of kidney graft function was carried out. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed –using 25 and 36 questionnaires-at the start and 12 months. Results We observed more females in group 1 and the original kidney disease was chronic glomerulonephritis was significantly higher in group 2 (37.5%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (15.7%) while in group 1 it came as 25.7% and 22.4% respectively (p<0.05).The studied groups were comparable regarding pre-transplant co-morbidities. Most patients received thymoglobulin as induction and most of them were maintained on cyclosporine. We did not find any significant difference between the two groups concerning post-transplant co-morbidities (p >0.05), however better graft function was observed in group 2 at 6 months (p< 0.05). At 12 months, the assessment of QoL using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, group 1 showed better post-transplant physical features and higher emotional factors related inactivity at 12 month (p<0.05), while group 2 showed significantly higher basal and 12 months activity state (p = 0.05). Basal inactivity was comparable in group 2 with that at 12 months (p>0.05), emotional factors related inactivity was significantly higher at 12 months in group 1. Graft outcome was comparable between both groups (p = 0.125), (p = 0.005). Conclusion Quality of life as represented by physical activity was improving by full correction of PTA in renal transplant recipients receiving ESA.