Influence of Officially Ordered Restrictions During the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Patients after Kidney Transplantation in a Telemedicine Based Aftercare Program-A KTx360° Sub Study.

Alexander A Hanke,Lothar Stein,Uwe Tegtbur,Sven Haufe,Mariel Nöhre,Martina De Zwaan,Simone Rolff,Momme Kück,Ana Céline Braun,Johanna Boyen,Hedwig T Boeck,Thorben Sundermeier,Arno Kerling,Elisabeth Schieffer,Mario Schiffer,Lars Pape

doi:10.3390/ijerph17239144

Abstract

Guidelines recommend a healthy lifestyle and regularly physical activity (PA) after kidney transplantation (KTx). The KTx360° program is a multicenter, multisectoral, multimodal, telemedicine-based follow-up care program. Effects of the first COVID-19 wave restrictions on health-related quality of life and PA of supervised KTx360° patients were evaluated using an online questionnaire. Six hundred and fifty-two KTx360° patients were contacted via email and were asked to complete the Freiburg questionnaire of physical activity and the Short form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) online. Pre-pandemic and lockdown data were compared in 248 data sets. While sporting activity decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, basic and leisure activity increased, resulting in increased overall activity. The physical component scale of the SF-12 was in the low normal range before as well as during the pandemic, with a small but significant increase during the pandemic. The mental component scale showed normal values before and during pandemic with a small but statistically significant decrease. Our study supports the effectiveness of a telemedicine based program for KTx patient care in maintaining PA and quality of life during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, further research and observation during the ongoing pandemic are required.

Highlights

Chronic kidney disease is a common disease worldwide with a prevalence rate of 7.2% in adults≥30 years of age and 23.4–35.8% in adults ≥64 years of age [1]
Six hundred and fifty-two KTx360◦ patients were contacted via email and 248 returned completed data sets
While the second peak wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is still growing at the moment, lessons learned from the first wave have to be considered as essential knowledge

Summary

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease is a common disease worldwide with a prevalence rate of 7.2% in adults. ≥30 years of age and 23.4–35.8% in adults ≥64 years of age [1]. Kidney transplantation (KTx) is widely considered the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease and is associated with improved morbidity, mortality and quality of life (QoL) compared to other kidney replacement procedures [2]. It has been shown that PA post KTx can reduce the risk for developing diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, and even mortality [4]. The KTx360◦ program is a multicenter, multisectoral, multimodal, telemedicine based follow-up care program. Close psychosomatic and sports medical support are combined to improve care and reduce healthcare costs after KTx [6]. One major aspect is the implementation of telemedicine supported training based on individual developed training plans

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