Patient survey to identify reasons for non-adherence and elicitation of quality of life concepts associated with immunosuppressant therapy in kidney transplant recipients

Figures & data

Table 1 Patients’ distribution and characteristics by focus group*

	Focus group 1 (London)	Focus group 2 (London)	Focus group 3 (Nottingham)	Focus group 4 (Nottingham)
Number of patients	8	8	10	11
Sex, N (%)
Male	4 (50%)	6 (75%)	4 (40%)	5 (45.5%)
Female	4 (50%)	2 (25%)	6 (60%)	6 (54.5%)
Type of donor, N (%)
Living	1 (12.5%)	2 (25%)	2 (20%)	2 (18.2%)
Cadaveric	7 (87.5%)	6 (75%)	8 (80%)	9 (81.8%)
Age (years)
Mean	55.8	44.1	53.0	47.6
Range	46–68	35–58	43–67	29–60
Daily dosing, N (%)
Once	3 (37.5%)	2 (25%)	4 (40%)	8 (72.7%)
Twice	5 (62.5%)	6 (75%)	6 (60%)	3 (27.3%)

Notes: Calculations were based on the number of participants in the respective focus group.

* Elderly (>68 years), children (<18 years), and young adult (18–25 years) patients are not included in this analysis.

Table 2 Side effects reported by participants in focus groups*

Aggression, short temperedness, change in personality

More enjoyment of food including new things

Osteoporosis

Light sensitivity

Moon face/“Hamster face”

Hyperthyroidism/parathyroidism

Skin issues: cancer, senile warts, rashes, blisters, thinner skin, dry or flaky skin, itches, and hives

Unable to “contain as much information”, forgetfulness, mental “blank outs”, and bad attention span

Emotional instability/anxiety

Arthritis and joint pains

Facial hairs and hair loss

Headache

Sleep problems: insomnia or fatigue, drowsiness, exhaustion, and lack of energy

Gastrointestinal problems: diarrhoea, medicine “burns” the stomach

Restless legs

Shaking

Sweats

Notes: Side-effects associated with IT as reported by participants in the four focus groups regardless of the frequency.

* Elderly (>68 years), children (<18 years), and young adults (18–25 years) patients are not included in this analysis.

Abbreviation: IT, immunosuppressant therapy.

Figure 1 Conceptual framework of the impact of IT on quality of life.

Notes: Factors influencing quality of life were included in the model based on the themes that emerged during the focus groups. *Elderly (>68 years), children (<18 years), and young adult (18–25 years) patients are not included in this analysis.
Abbreviation: IT, immunosuppressant therapy.