Abstract: PO2084
Employment Status and Work Functioning in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Session Information
- Transplantation: Clinical - Allocation, Evaluation, Prognosis, and Viral Onslaughts
November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 1902 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Knobbe, Tim J., Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Kremer, Daan, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Berger, Stefan P., Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Annema, Coby, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Visser, Annemieke, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Bakker, Stephan J.L., Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Background
Reliable employment figures of stable kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Europe are lacking. Additionally, little is known about work functioning among employed KTR, and which clinical factors and (drug-related) side-effects are associated with work functioning.
Methods
We included 668 KTR of working age (59% male, age 51±11 years), at a median of 3 [IQR: 2 to 10] years after transplantation), enrolled in the ongoing TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study (NCT03272841, Groningen, The Netherlands). Work and work-related functioning were assessed using the work role functioning questionnaire (WRFQ). Self-reported work ability was assessed using an item of the Work Ability Index (WAI). Results were compared to 246 (43% male, age 53±9 years) potential kidney donors used as healthy controls (HC).
Results
Employment rates were significantly lower among KTR compared to HC (56% vs. 79%, respectively, p<0.001). Employed KTR reported lower work functioning compared to employed HC (median [IQR] WRFQ total score: 94 [75 to 100] vs. 100 [83 to 100], P=0.026, Figure 1). Similarly, self-reported work ability was lower in KTR compared to HC (mean 7.8±1.9 vs. 8.6±1.5, p<0.001). Among KTR, fatigue was most strongly associated with work functioning, independently of potential confounders. Other parameters including anemia, blood albumin, use of beta-blockers, and neurological and mental drug-related side-effects were also independently associated with work functioning.
Conclusion
In our large representative population, only 56% of KTR in their working age were employed. In addition, employed KTR frequently experience impaired work functioning and have limited self-reported work ability. These results underline the individual and societal need to improve employment rates and work-related functioning among KTR. Fatigue, anemia, nutritional status, beta-blocker use, and drug-related side-effects may be potential targets, and should be further investigated.